Name
Frederick Bonsey Burgess
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/03/1918
38
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
G/15206
Royal Sussex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 86 to 88.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1879 and baptised on 16 November 1879 to parents John and Caroline Burgess,
In 1891 7 Alexr(?) Terrace, John (37) was an auctioneer’s clerk, his wife Caroline was 32. Their children were: Lucie (10), Katie E. (8), Jessie I. (3) and Frederick Bonsey (1).
They have yet to be found in the 1901 census, but by 1911 Frederick’s mother had been widowed.
Frederick had taken up an apprenticeship with Messrs Paternoster & Hales bookbinding works and had lodged in Radcliffe Road, Hitchin and in 1911 he was recorded as a bookbinder, living at 34A Periwinkle Lane, Hitchin, He was living with him as was his sister, Muriel Annie (24). His mother was recorded as 58, a widow who had been married for 12 years with 6 children, all living.
He was popular and well-known as a chorister at St. Saviour's Church and a member of their Church Lads' Brigade.
Officially he was recorded as born in Polegate, Sussex, when he enlisted in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
Frederick was originally 27979 in the Bedfordshire Regiment and was given the Regimental Number G/15206 when he was transferred to the 11th Battalion which was in the 116th Brigade of the 39th Division. He was killed in action.
The Battalion had been fighting in Picardy in the area of Demuin where, by the end of March 1918, it was worn out and much reduced in numbers from ten days of continuous fighting. In April they were less involved as their fighting ability was so much impaired.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Panels 86-88 of the Tyne Cot.
Additional Information
After his death 7s 2d was authorised to go to R P Hounslow on 10 October 1918, then £11 18s 10d was authorised to go to his sister, Muriel on 21 November 1918 and later she was also authorised his war gratuity of £9 10s on 2 December 1919.
In his pension records his next of kin was his mother, Mrs Caroline Burgess, 14 Ersham Road, Hailsham, Sussex. She was awarded a pension of 3s 6d a week from 19 November 1918
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
