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1544 Private Edward Burston, 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment.

Identification:

I found two results for Edward Burston in the CWGC database. One had the full name Edward but was in the Devonshire Regiment and it stated that he was from Somerset. The other had only the initial E and was in the South Lancashire Regiment with no details as to where he lived.


It seemed likely that the second record was the correct Edward Burston. Cross referencing with the Soldiers Died in the Great War results from Ancestry.co.uk gave me further proof that this was the correct man. As you can see below the SDGW entry shows that this E Burston in the South Lancs was Edward and from Toxteth, Liverpool. I am happy that I have the correct soldier




Family information:


Edward Burston was born on the 15th December 1894 and his birth registered in Liverpool. He was baptised on 6th Feb 1895 at St John the Baptist, Toxteth Park. His parents were Samuel Frederick Burston and Priscilla, Samuel was a labourer and they lived at 41 Gaskell St. Priscilla's maiden name was Gwilliams and she had been married before with the surname Roe.


Edward's mother died in 1901. In the census that year Edward aged 6 and 3 of his brothers (William 11, James 8, John 3) were enumerated at the house of their uncle and aunt Charles and Julie Burston, 90 Stanhope St. His father and 3 further brothers (Thomas 19, Joseph 15, Frederick 13) were next-door at 92 Stanhope St.


The 1911 census return shows Edward with 3 of his brothers (Joseph, Jim and John) and his father. They were living at 8 Friendship Place, Hampton St. This may sound pleasant but I think it was court housing with a pretty name.

Military information

Pre-war

Edward enlisted in the army on 20th April 1912. He was given the regimental number 1544 in the South Lancashire Regiment.


Some of Edward's paperwork survived (although damaged) in the National Archives. His attestation document shows that Edward was aged 17yrs 4months when he signed up in April 1912 for a period of 6 years. He had been working as a casual labourer and had a reference from his employer Mr J Hewitt of 22 Hampton Street.


Edward listed his next of kin as father Frederick and brothers Joseph, James and John all of 12 Court, 8 House Hampton St, Liverpool.


The medical report shows that Edward was examined on 19th April 1912 when he was 17yrs and 4 months old. He was 5ft 2 and 5/8 inches tall and weighed 121 lbs. His physical development was good and he had been vaccinated in infancy. He had a sallow complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. His distinguishing marks were ‘ a circular scar inside left shoulder blade, a scar small of back and a mole below left nipple.’


Edward served his two years with the colours and in April 1914 was transferred to the Army Reserve.


WW1


Edward was mobilized from the army reserve on 8th August 1914, embarked at Southampton on 4th December 1914 and was posted to the 2nd Bn South Lancashire Regiment 5th December 1914.


During his time in the army Edward may not have been the perfect soldier; in the few months he was in France, his record sheet shows several punishments. His conduct sheet has the following entries:



Record Place Date

Wounded in action Linden Hock 23/1/15

Awarded 3days field punishment No2* for “Irregular 13/2/1915

conduct on parade ie laughing on parade.”

Awarded 7 days field pun No2* for 14/2/1915

“not complying with an order eg not carrying a

wounded man’s equipment when ordered to do

so by an officer” and “Disobedience of battalion

orders ie wearing gum boots on parade”

Awarded 3 days field punishment No2* for 9/3/1915

“not being properly dressed on parade ie

being deficient of a waterproof sheet”

[*Field punishment number 2 involved being shackled and handcuffed but not attached to anything and sometimes also hard labour.]


Edward’s Medal Index Card shows that he was a private in the South Lancashire Regiment and was eligible for the Victory, British and 1915 Star medals. It notes that he Died of Wounds 12th March 1915. It also shows that he fought in France, entering this 'theatre of war' on 5th December 1914.


Death and Commemoration


His service papers note that Edward "Died, from wounds received in action. Place: Kemmel" and was "buried in the cemetery north of the chateau, Kemmel." A later note states “exhumed and re-buried Kemmel Chateau Military Hospital 3 miles N.W. of Messines. Next of kin notified 15-1-1921”


Edward’s record also shows that his pay went to his brother Frederick Samuel Burston of 112 Upper Essex St, Liverpool. His father had passed away in 1913. In 1920 Frederick completed some forms for any money they were entitled to and listed Edward’s family as consisting of himself, two other brothers (John and James) and Thomas who was listed as a half-brother. Joseph and William were not mentioned.


The entry in UK SOLDIERS DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 shows the following:

Name: Edward Burston

Birth Place: Toxteth, Liverpool

Death Date: 12 Mar 1915

Death Location: France & Flanders

Enlistment Location: Liverpool

Rank: Private

Regiment: Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment)

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Number: 1544

Type of Casualty: Died of wounds

Theatre of War: Western European Theatre



Eward Burston's headstone in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery



The War Diary for the 2nd Battalion South Lancs Regiment shows that they started the month of March 1915 in the support line and during the first week 7 men were wounded. Then they were moved out of the line and were at rest in billets at Locre. It is possible that Edward Burston was one of the men wounded in the first week but the entry for the 12th March shows it is also possible that he was wounded and died on the same day.

Friday 12th March 1915

Orders received for Brigade to attack SPANBROEK MOLEN HILL. 3rd Worcesters, 1st Wilts and 2nd S Lanc Regiment were ordered to occupy assembly trenches which had been previously prepared, the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles being in reserve.

The Battalion marched from billets at LOCRE at 3am, moving via Kemmel and Lindenhock. The march was delayed in consequence of the road being blocked by 4th S Lancs R which was returning from carrying stores to Kemmel and by working parties of the 85th Brigade.

It was nearly broad daylight when the battalion moved into position. Cover was taken behind a small wood and in fold of the ground, the assembly trenches being fully occupied by Worcesters and Wilts. The attack was to have taken place at 8:30am but was delayed until 4:10pm owing to a thick mist which prevented artillery observation.

The actual attack was made by two companies each of Worcesters and Wilts – the 2nd S Lan remaining in support – but it did not succeed.

After it had failed the battalion was heavily shelled for about 1 ½ hours. A great many shells went just over the battalion but the men were absolutely steady and owing to the good dispositions made by the company commanders, those that burst near did not do much damage.

At 8pm orders were received for the battalion to march back to billets at Locre. Two platoons of C Company were left in occupation of a supporting trench until relieved by East Surrey Regt.

The battalion arrived at Locre about midnight and occupied billets there. Casualties during the day were 15 men wounded, 3 of them subsequently died of their wounds.

Edward’s family informed the Liverpool Echo of his death and the following notice and photograph were printed on 6th April, you will see that it mentions St James’ Church.



Edward’s name was placed on the St James Memorial but, with the loss of that memorial, he was not commemorated anywhere in Liverpool until 2012 when I had it added to the Roll of Honour at Liverpool Town Hall.

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