Name
William John Tanner Burrows
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/01/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
47268
Labour Corps
124th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot XIII Row G Grave 3
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
William was born in Buckingham, Bucks to David (image unclear) and Jane Burrows. His siblings were Joseph Ernest (27 in 1918), Mary, Gladys and another sister (aged 26, 18 and 24 respectively in 1918).
Before the war he was employed in the furniture department of Moss and Sons.
William was a Sunday school teacher at St. John's Church, Hitchin, a member of the Church of England Men's Society and a member of the Bible Class.
He was a married to May and they had three young children; Annie (b1912), Gladys (b1915) and William (b1917) his home was at 28, Union Road, Hitchin.
Wartime Service
He enlisted n the Royal West Surrey Regiment with the Regimental Number 47268 on the 24th June 1916, but was not called for service until 26th February 1917. He was transferred to the 124th Company of the Labour Corps with the Number 73903 on the 14th May 1917. His is listed as on home service from 24th June 1916 to 10th March 1917 and with the BEF from 11th March 1917 to 21st January 1918.
His first leave was not until the 26th December 1917 when he was given two weeks off. During his leave he suffered a bad cough which was aggravated by a long march through deep snow back to his unit during which he collapsed several times. He was admitted to hospital a few days after arriving back in France and died of bronchitis and nephritis in the 4th Casualty Clearing Station.
He was buried in Plot XIII, Row G, Grave 3 in Dozinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Additional Information
He had two brothers also serving in the army, one of whom was killed in action in the summer of 1916. His personal effects which were returned to his widow included: his dog tag, wallet, razor, scissors, letters, photos, cap badge, lock of hair, 3 religious books, purse and a defaced 50 ct note.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
