WW1 Casualty: Private 31597 William Burns - Private 31597 William Burns
| Unit/Regiment |
17th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers |
| Date of Death |
24/08/1916 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Thiepval Memorial
Pier and Face 3C and 3D |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Leigh, Lancs |
| How Died |
Killed in Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Notes |
Beyond a record that he was born in Prescot, I have been unable to firmly establish the identity of Pte Burns. |
| Research Ref. No. |
P029 |
Service DetailsThe 17th (Service) Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers landed at Le Havre on 29th January 1916 and it is assumed William Burns was part of that landing.
On 22nd August, as part of the ongoing Somme campaign, they took over from French forces in the ANGLE WOOD sector. They moved up to attack on the morning of 24th, the diary reading, "During the early hours of the morning, the Battalion was concentrated for the attack in shell holes east of ANGLE WOOD. The Battalion was detailed to push forward the British right, in conjunction with the forward movement of the French on our immediate right."
The attack started at 5:45 am and under heavy enemy fire, they advanced 300 yards and gained contact with the French before consolidating.
Their casualties were 4 officers wounded, with 4 other ranks killed and 16 wounded.
Amongst those killed was William Burns. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial to the missing of the Somme.
The Register of Soldiers Effects, shown below, records his parents William and Helen as next of kin
William Burns' Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal
William Burns' inscription on the Thiepval Memorial.
This picture was taken on Monday 21st February 2011
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