Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Francis Burnham was born at Bill Quay, Gateshead, County Durham in 1888, the eldest of 5 known children, 4 sons and a daughter. His father Thomas Burnham native of Heworth, Gateshead born 1859 married Bridget Ann Campbell, born 1865 native of Scotland at St Andrews, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, May 30th 1887, he worked as a general labourer whilst living at Wynn Street, Heworth, n 1891. Unfortunately, he died aged 41 years in 1900 when Edward Francis was only 12 years old leaving his wife responsible for all five children including a new born baby boy, Hugh. Bridget Ann remarried in 1906 to widower John Connor, born 1857 at Washington, County Durham, with 5 children of his own, 2 sons and 3 daughters, a labourer at the chemical works. In 1911 he and Bridget lived at 8, Split Crow Lane, Felling, also supported by step-son Thomas (20) a putter at the colliery along with his son Peter (16), a pony driver.
Edward Francis married in 1909 Jane Smith, they set up home at 12, Split Crow Lane and by 1911 had a daughter Mary (1). They went on to have a further 3 daughters, Elsie born 1911, Jane Scott in 1912 and Margaret Ann in 1915. Margaret was born after the departure of her father as part of the British Mediterranean Force. He had left his employment as a miner and enlisted, assigned as Private 11039 to the 6th (Service) Battalion Yorkshire Hussars (Alexandra, Princes of Wales' Own) Regiment. Raised at Richmond August 25th 1914 they joined the 32nd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division and underwent training at Belton Park near Grantham. In April 1915 they moved to Witley Camp near Godalming in Surrey before departing from Liverpool July 3rd 1915 to Mudros. They saw action in the landings, August 6th at Sulva Bay, part of the August Offensive, in a final attempt by the British to break the deadlock of the Battle of Gallipoli.
Private 11039 Edward Francis Burnham Yorkshire Hussars (Alexandra, Princes of Wales' Own) Regiment. was killed in action little over two weeks after his arrival, August 22nd 1915. His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 20,000 names inscribed on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli (modern day Turkey). The memorial is in the form of a 30 metre high obelisk that stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsular and can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles, commemorating those who died on land and at sea during the campaign and who have no known grave.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children along with his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. She remarried in 1919 to Stephen Oram born 1888 at Felling, Gateshead. Jane Oram-Burnham nee Smith died at Gateshead in 1968 aged 78 years.
The death of John Connor preceded that of Edward Francis’s mother. Bridget Ann Conner-Burnham nee Campbell of 26, White Street, Felling, County Durham, died April 4th 1929 aged 64 years, leaving effects of 2867 pounds 15 shillings 1 pence to Duncan Macfadyen Millar M. D. and Patrick Bennett, solicitor.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Francis Burnham is remembered at Heworth as E. Burham on H92.03 and as Burnham on H92.04 and H92.07 and at Felling on F32.06 and F32.24
