Heslop's Local Advertiser 10/09/1915
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Edward Burn was born at Gateshead, County Durham, during the 2nd quarter of 1894, one of 7 children of whom only 6 survived, his brother Charles born in 1900 died in infancy in 1901, he was the 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 William’s father was employed by a chemical manufacturer as a blacksmith, William Edward (16) who had been educated at High Felling Council School now worked at the colliery as a wagon breaker blow ground, his brother Frank Jnr. (14) above ground as a screener, Thomas (8) the youngest was a scholar.
On the outbreak of war he was 19 years old and enlisted firstly assigned as Private 12949 to the Coldstream Guards. Unfortunately, his service record no longer exists on of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, it is therefore impossible to trace his exact movements, however he was later transferred as Sapper 79893 Royal Engineers assigned to the 170th Tunnelling Company.
By January 1915 it had become evident that the Germans were mining to a planned system on the Western Front. The British had failed to develop a suitable counter-tactics to underground listening devises, an investigation into the suitability of forming British mining units was undertaken. Following consultations, the War Office formally approved the Tunnelling Company scheme February 19th 1915.
Sapper Burn departed with the British Expeditionary Force as part of the 170th Tunnelling Coy, 11th Field Company Royal Engineers arriving in France, April 8th 1915. The 170th Company was made up of sewer workers from Manchester and experienced miners in order to make the work safer and quicker. They and the other 7 companies were rushed immediately to Givenchy to counter the enemy in the sector until it was relieved by the 173rd in June 1915. When they returned to the front lines they were deployed to the Loos sector where preparations were already underway for the commencement of battle which was to take place September 25th 1915.
Sapper 79893 William Edward Burn was wounded in the line of duty and evacuated back through the lines to the hospital centre and railhead in the village of Bethune, to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station, he died of wounds inflicted August 20th 1915 and interred at Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave IV. D. 49. He was 21 years old and single.
As his appointed benefactor his father living at 3, Windsor Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William Edward’s younger brother Frank Burn Jnr also enlisted during the Great War assigned to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division as Able Seaman Tyneside Z/541. He died at the 12th General Hospital Rouen, Seine-de-Maritime, Normandy, France, November 17th 1917 and was interred at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, grave P. III. P3A. 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.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 10/09/1915 reports:
"Sapper William Edward Burn, No.4 Section, 170th Co., Royal Engineers, transferred from Coldstream Guards, aged 21 years, in France on 20th August. Eldest son of Frank and Mary Burn, 3 Windsor Terrace, Felling."
