De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 1 page 63
Surrey County Cricket Club: photo Philip Paine
Hope under Dinsmore 1: photo Stephen Roberts
Photo Stephen Roberts
William Matthew Burrell was born the 2nd February 1876 at Glen Allen, Alnwick, Northumberland, and was the eldest son of William John Burrell, [born 1846, died 14th February 1888], and his wife Helena Elizabeth, [died 22nd January 1887], 2nd daughter of Major Alexander Browne, of Doxford Hall.
William resided at Broome Park, Northumberland and Hampton Court, Hereford.
He married at Carham, 13th May 1903, Nancy (Hampton Court, Leominster, Herefordshire). She was the 2nd daughter of the late Charles Perkins, of Carham Hall, Coldstream and Birtley Hall, Durham. They had four children: Michael born 8th July 1909, but died on the 4th January 1910, Charles Dominic, (now of Broome Park), born 11th August 1914, Cornelia Mary born 12th January 1911, and Phillipa born 25th August 1912.
He bought Hampton Court in 1912 and it was used as a Military Hospital in WW1.
He was educated at Harrow, and gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant, in the 12th Royal Lancers on the 15th May 1897. Promoted in 1900 to Lieutenant, prior to being promoted to a Captain on the 22nd November 1902.
He served in the South African War, 1899-1902 took part in the advance and relief of Kimberley, including action at Maggersfontein. Further operations in the Orange Free State from February to May 1900, then operations in the Transvaal, May June 1900. Actions near Johannesburg and Diamond Hill, Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to 29th November 1900, further involvement at the Orange River Colony May to 29th November, including actions at Lindley, Bethlehem and Witterbergen.
Then from the 30th November to July 1901 further action in the Transvaal. Cape Colony July 1901 to 31st May 1902.
He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 4 clasps and the King's Medal with 2 clasps. He was an Adjutant from 1904 to 1907.
William then retired on the 13th May 1907.
He was commissioned into the Northumberland Yeomanry Hussars and promoted to Major on the 7th June 1913.
On the outbreak of War he was on route to France with his regiment, when he contracted pneumonia at Southampton. He died on the 10th November in 1914 of septic pneumonia at a Nursing Home at Bath.
Probate was granted at London on 14th January 1915 to his widow, Nancy Burrell; his effects amounting to £14279 3s. 3d.
Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
He was a friend of Captain J. M. Lambert see his Every Name A Story entry.
Anne McFadgen has supplied the following:
I have been doing some research on the Burrell family of Broome Park, to which Major W.M. Burrell belonged. The family was an influential one, with several members serving as High Constables of Northumberland and there was also a tradition of military service - see Major Bryan Burrell of the 15th Hussars.
Mr Duff Burrell, the current incumbent of Broome Park, grandson of Major W.M. Burrell, is on record as confirming that his grandfather is buried at Bolton Chapel, which is attached to the Burrell family.
He is not remembered on any North East England War Memorial.
His name appears on the Surrey County Cricket Club memorial.
Photo: Philip Paine
And is remembered on a memorial and Roll of Honour at Hope Under Dinmore, near Hampton Court, Leominster.
Photos: Stephen Roberts
There is no CWGC entry for Major Burrell