Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Frank Burn Jnr was born at Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham, February 6th 1897, one of 7 children of whom only 6 survived, his brother Charles born in 1900 died in infancy in 1901, he was the second eldest of 3 sons and 3 daughters. His father Frank Dicken Burn native of Derbyshire migrated with his family to the north east, in 1881 they were living at Heworth where he was working as a boiler-maker. He married at Gateshead in 1884 to Mary Ann Patterson born at Glasgow, Scotland in 1861. After their marriage they lived next door to Frank’s parents at Park Road, Heworth, Frank was employed as a blacksmith and they stayed until 1911 when they can be found at 4, Alexandra Terrace, Felling, near Gateshead. In 1911 Frank’s father was employed by a chemical manufacturer as a blacksmith, William Edward (16) worked at the colliery as a wagon breaker blow ground, Frank Jnr. (14) who had been educated at High Felling Council School now worked above ground as a screener, Thomas (8) the youngest was a scholar.
On the outbreak of war Frank was 17 and a half years old and must have lied about his age in order to enlist. He was assigned as Able Seaman Tyneside Z/541 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Naval Division.
The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at the outbreak of WW1 was formed from the Royal Navy and Royal Marine reservists and volunteers who were not needed to serve at sea, an idea of Winston Churchill who at the time was First Lord of the Admiralty. They were formed into 8 battalions, Drake, Benbow, Hawke, Collingwood, Nelson, Howe, Hood and Anson. Able Seaman Burn was assigned to Hood Battalion.
Training completed he was sent overseas. Hood Battalion departed along with Anson and Howe for Egypt where they remained to resume training and particularly getting acclimatised which included field marches. May 27th 1915 they received orders they would be moving to the front, leaving Mundros for Cape Helles where they were assigned to dig trenches for the next three days and came under heavy shell fire. Hood remained on the Gallipoli peninsular until all three battalions were withdrawn to France, arriving at Marseilles 12th-13th May 1916. The battalions transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office as the 63rd Royal Naval Division, July 19th 1916. They remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war seeing action during the Battle of the Ancre 13th-16th November 1916 and the Actions at Miraumont 17th-18th February 1917. April 23rd 1917 the Royal Naval Division captured Graville and where they formed a second-line trench during the summer of 1917.
Able Seaman Tyneside Z/541 Frank Burn Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve died at the 12th General Hospital at Rouen, France November 17th 1917. Listed as cause of death 2; killed died of injuries or exposure, died of disease following injury or injuries or disease following injuries accidentally sustained. He was interred at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, grave P. III. P3A. age 20 years and single.
Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to his father living at 3, Windsor Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
Frank’s elder brother William Edward also enlisted during the Great War assigned as Sapper 79683 170th Tunnelling Coy Royal Engineers. He died of wounds at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station, Bethune, France and interred at Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. He was 21 years old and single. Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Details of the Burn family. Frank Burn Snr died in 1937 aged 78 years, Mary Ann Burn nee Patterson in 1925 aged 54 years registered at Gateshead. Siblings of William Edward and Frank; Mary b.1886- d.1960, Frances Hanlon nee Burn b. Apr 22nd 1887- d. Jul 23rd 1972, Millicent Burn b. Apr 21st 1891- d. 1981, Charles H. Burn b. 1900- d. 1901, Thomas Burn b. Dec 18th 1902- d. 1981.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
