No.13758, Lance Corporal, James Percy BURBIDGE
Aged 26
|
James Percy Burbidge was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset (Shaftesbury Q2-1889 5A:224), son of Sidney and Ellen BURBIDGE (née GURD).
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Hutchinson's Lane, St James, Shaftesbury with his father Sidney [47] labourer, born East Knoyle, Wilts; his mother Ellen [44] born Godshill, Hampshire; sisters Kate M [21], Cissie [11], Florence M [10] and Beatrice [4]; brothers Albert S [17] (labourer) and George H [7]; nephew Edwin J BURBIDGE [1]. All the children were born in Shaftesbury. 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at Hutchinson's Lane, Shaftesbury with his parents; sister Cissie, nephew Edwin and nephew Jack M Burbidge [4], born Shaftesbury. No information has come to light as to the parentage of Edwin and Jack. 1911 census...Aged 22, single, a gardener, he was at Layton's lane, Shaftesbury with his parents and two lodgers. It is so far unknown when he arrived in Elveden, but gardeners were very often known to travel far and wide for employment and the estate at Elveden employed a great number of staff. He apparently remained single since his legatee was father Sidney. |
|
He enlisted in Elveden. Very confusing data from CWGC, "Army Register of Soldiers Effects" and medal index card. Not just his date of death, but whether he was killed in action or died of his wounds. CWGC have him dying on 25th September 1915 which is commensurate with the location of the 9th Suffolks. Register of Soldiers Effects says he died, killed in action, on 6th October. Unlikely as the battalion were in camp near Brandhoek in Belgium that day. Medal index card has him dying of his wounds on 6th October which is possible but less likely since he has no known grave. Soldier Died has died of his wounds on 6th October. It is possible of course that he was seen to be wounded on 25th September and died later but where ? and when ?. Unless more information is forthcoming we may never know. Further problems caused by his name being Burbidge or Burbridge. CWGC have 12 men of the 9th Suffolks dying on 25th September, all named on the Loos Memorial.
photo: Roy Beardsworth and also on the Weather Heath Memorial (Elveden Column by the A11) click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
