In Castle Eden (St. James) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave with a private headstone of Captain and Flight Commander Rowland Burdon, serving with the 46 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps who died 10/01/1917.
The headstone reads:
To the memory of
Rowland Burdon
Captain ?
and
Flight Commander R.F.C.
who was born Feb. 6th 1893
and lost his life in an accident
while on duty Jan. 10th 1917
He asked life of thee and thou gavest him
him a long life, even for ever and ever.
Rowland Burdon was born on the 6th February 1893, in London, the only son of Colonel Rowland Burdon, of Castle Eden, Durham, and his wife Mary Arundell Slade, daughter of Wyndham Slade.
Rowland was part of the well known and famous Burdon family of Sunderland and its surrounding area. Rowland’s Great Grandfather was the man behind the building of the Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
Rowland was educated at Wixenford, Eton and University College, Oxford, passing his Finals in 1914.
Rowland was a keen athlete and while at Eton, in 1909, he won the junior long jump and one hundred yards, the hurdles and fives, obtaining more points than anyone else in the ‘Victor Ludorum Cup’. In reporting this The Eton College Chronicle says: The cup was won by Harvey with forty-three points, though Burdon obtained forty-seven. The cup, however, is not open to Juniors, but Burdon is to be congratulated on a very fine performance. In 1910 and 1911 he was Keeper of Fives, and in the latter year won the hurdles against the school and also the long jump (20 feet 7½ inches], and before leaving he carried off the Sports Cup from Mr. Hares House. A member of Pop he attended the centenary dinner in 1911, and in his last summer half he played several times for the Eton Cricket XI, but owing to an accident to his knee failed to get his colours.
He joined the Northumberland Hussars as a Despatch Rider in August 1914. Rowland was gazetted as lieutenant in the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on the 21st September 1914. This was the same Battalion his father raised. He was promoted Captain on the 1st June 1915.
Rowland then transferred into the Royal Flying Corps in November. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and was invalided home in June, 1916, gazetted as Flight Commander in July. In December 1916, he was sent to Tadcaster [Bramham] airfield, as an Instructor. He was killed while flying in FE 2d N0 A1937, in an accident with another officer, Lt Frederick Harry Turner MC., formerly 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, while flying there 10th January 1917.
In Flight magazine of 18/01/1917, an obituary for Turner, states: Last week he accompanied Captain Burdon in a flight, and near Leeds the machine fell in flames, both officers being killed.
Rowland was unmarried.
Source: De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
In the Newcastle Journal Saturday 13/01/1917, is a report under the heading of:-
The Death of Captain R. Burdon.
At a meeting of the local members of the South-East Durham Conservative and Unionist Association, held at the Constitutional Buildings, West Hartlepool, yesterday, Lieut.-Colonel H. Doughty presiding, a resolution of sympathy with Colonel Rowland Burdon, on the death of his son, Captain R. Burdon, was proposed by Mr W. H. Carter, and supported by many members. Amongst those who were present or sent apologies for non-attendance were Mr W. C. Gray (represented by Mr Fred Hunter), Colonel Thomlinson, Captain Watson Cameron, Major F.T. Tristam, Mr George Jones, Mr Wm. Ropner, Mr Sidney Hogg, Mr M. Harrison, Mr Thomas McCarthy, Councillor Relton, Mr Thomas Metcalfe, Mr R. Hinchley, Mr F. Mayson, Ald T. Clarkson, Councillor J. Boanson, Ald J.R. Butterwick, Mr Edwin Birks and Mr Ley Charlton.
It was decided to send the following letter of condolence to Colonel Burdon. “At a representative meeting held this afternoon of members of the South-East Durham Conservative and Unionist Association, we were desired to convey to you and Mrs Burdon and your family their deepest sympathy and condolence on he occasion of your sad and profound loss. Your gallant son gave all for his King and country.
The letter was signed by Lieut-Colonel H Doughty (chairman of the association) and Mr E. Waddington (secretary).
Newcastle Journal Saturday, 13/01/1917, reports:-
The Late Captain Rowland Burdon
In the presence of a large and representative gathering of mourners from various parts of the county of Durham, the remains of the late Captain Rowland Burdon, of the Royal Flying Corps, only son of Colonel and Mrs Rowland Burdon, of the Castle, Castle Eden, were laid to rest yesterday in the graveyard of Castle Eden Church. Snow covered the ground to a considerable depth, and while the coffin, covered with a Union Jack, was being borne aloft from the Castle along the winding carriageway to the church, a snowstorm burst over the locality.
Crowds of people assembled about the entrance to the church to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased officer, who met his death under tragic circumstances last Wednesday while acting as pilot in an air flight near Leeds. The procession was headed by buglers of a York Regiment, under Band Sergeant Hamsbere? while members of the Royal Flying Corps, under Captain Inglefeld and Lieut Pyott, acted as bearers, the following, who are old servants of the estate, walking alongside the coffin:- Messrs C. King, G. Proudlock, G. Gibson, P. Corner, J. Coplin and T. Ferry.
As the cortege passed within the portals of the ancient church the organist Mr J. Stirk played “O Rest in the Lord.” and the Hymn, “Lead Kindly Light.” was reverently sung. The Rector (the Rev Godfrey Evans) conducted the service, and read the 90th Psalm, while the Rev Canon F.C. Macdonald, of West Hartlepool, read the prayers, the Rev A. Burdon, of Hesleden, reading the lesson, which was from the Corinthians. After the hymns “Peace Perfect Peace” and “For All the Saints,” the choir gave a solemn rendering of Nune Dumittie. The organist played Chopin’s Marche Funebre as the procession re-formed and wended its way to the graveside, which is near to the grave of the late Rev John Burdon (grandfather), and located in the north-east corner of the churchyard behind the chancel. At the conclusion of the service at the grave the buglers sounded the Last Post.
Rowland Burdon is remembered at Castle Eden on C102.01, C102.02, and C102.06
