In 1891 Clifford’s parents Isaac Burge, Gardener (born Bawdrip, Somerset), and his wife Mary Jane (born Moorlinch, Somerset) were at Knowle Hall Lodge, Bawdrip, with their sons James (born 1878 in Wexford), and Harry (born 1890 in Bawdrip).

In the 1901 census Isaac Burge, Estate Bailiff, and Mary Jane, with sons Harry and Clifford (born Bawdrip 1893), were shown as visitors to Joseph and Susan Wylan at 29 St Mark’s Road.

By 1911 Clifford, now a Motor and Electric worker, was with his parents at West Lodge, Grindon Hall, Silksworth. Isaac was once more a gardener. Isaac and Mary later moved to Cleadon, and then to Whitburn.

A Territorial Force attestation shows that on November 12th, 1914, at Newcastle, aged 21 years 5 months, Clifford signed up for four years’ service in the UK, giving his address as West Lodge, Grindon Hall, Sunderland. He was to serve with the Northumbrian Division Supply Column of the Army Service Corps.

On April 3rd 1915 he re-enlisted at Bulford in the regular Army Service Corps, with service number M2/054410. He named his father Isaac at West Lodge, Grindon Hall, and brothers James and Harry. On April 15th 1915 he embarked for France with the Expeditionary Force, sailing from Southampton on SS ‘King Edward’ and disembarking the next day at Rouen, where the Base Mechanical Transport Depot was located. Army Service Corps, Mechanical Transport, 621 Co.

On May 15th 1917 Clifford returned to England. A report from Tooting Military Hospital on May 21st said that he had caught a severe cold in France in January of that year. He had carried on until April, when he was sent to England with symptoms of tuberculosis. He was formally discharged from the Army on June 11th 1917, at which time he gave his trade as Motor Car Driver, of The Lodge, Cleadon Meadows, Sunderland. He was 24, 5’11” tall, of medium complexion, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was discharged as being no longer physically fit for war service, the ‘Result of active service, hardship and exposure’. His character report on discharge reads: ‘An excellent driver and useful in the workshop. A steady and reliable man.’ He was awarded the Silver War Badge 215141. His father was with him when he died at home in Cleadon on October 4th 1917 aged 24 years.

There is no CWGC record, as Clifford Burge died at home following discharge from the Army on medical grounds.

Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Harry Burge, his brother, a policeman, also died during the Great War.

Clifford Burge is remembered at South Hylton on S128.01, S128.02 and S128.03 at Sunderland on S140.009, S140.010, S140.048 part 10, S140.048 part 14 and S140.128