Private Frederick Douglas Burgess

Born in Southfields, Wandsworth between January and March 1894, Frederick was the fourth son of Charles and Mary Ann Burgess. He was baptised at St Michael’s Church, Southfields on 6 May 1894, while the family were living at 59 Camborne Road in Southfields. His father Charles was employed as a Boot and Shoe Maker. Theirs was a large family, as Harry had three elder brothers, Charles, John and Henry (Harry), and younger sisters Gladys, Amy and Violet May. The 1901 Census records the family living in the Summerstown area at No. 2 Foss Road, (Cambridge Terrace) Tooting.

By 1911 the family had moved again to a more substantial five roomed house at 6 Dorien Road, Raynes Park. Richard aged 8, was the newest addition to the family, although the census records that Mary Ann had eleven children, and that sadly three of them had died. Frederick was now seventeen and was employed as a Grocer’s Assistant.

During World War 1, Frederick enlisted as a Private with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. On 24 April 1915, the Battalion landed at Gallipoli and took park in various actions including The Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights. After a disastrous campaign, the British government authorized the evacuation of troops from December 1915. The last troops left Helles on 9 January, 1916, and we know that Frederick’s battalion were evacuated to Alexandria on 8 January due to heavy casualties from combat, disease and severe weather conditions.

Like all soldiers who served during the First World War, Frederick was entitled to the Victory and British Service Medal. He also received the 1914-1915 Star Medal which was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the First World War during 1914 and 1915. This medal was initially not going to be awarded to soldiers who served in the Gallipoli Campaign. Those soldiers were to be awarded the Gallipoli Star instead, but following protests by British parliamentarians and news media, the Gallipoli Star was never awarded and the ANZAC veterans were made eligible for the 1914–1915 Star Medal instead.

In March 1916 the Battalion landed at Marseilles, where their Division was engaged in various battles on the Western Front, including The Battle of Albert. By August 1916, the battalion were fighting in the Ypres Salient, Belgium. The Battalions’ War Diary entry for the 8 and 9 August 1916 records the following:

“By the night of the 8/9th the gas alarm was sounded by the horn on our left. The wind was from the NE and very light and as soon as the gas cloud was observed to be approaching our line the alarm was taken up and due precautions were made. The cloud took about one hour to pass and came in two waves. During this time our supporting artillery opened a barrage of shrapnel fire and the enemy made no attempt to leave his trenches. The enemy at the same time opened a fairly heavy shrapnel fire on to our front line system and main communications, a few large howitzer shells being directed at our reserves. The gas seemed to be a particularly deadly kind and penetrated a considerable distance, the effect being felt some distance in rear. It was noticeable that the gas corroded all metal that it came in contact with and killed many rats and birds. - 1 sick to hospital. “

It is known that Frederick died from the effects of gas on Wednesday 9 August 1916 and was one of 125 soldiers who were killed, or died of wounds on that day.

Frederick is buried at the Lussenthoek Military Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His Grave Inscription reads “REST IN PEACE”. He is also commemorated locally at St Saviours Parish Church, Raynes Park.

The Register of Soldiers Effects shows that his mother Mary Ann, was given the amount of £7.10s, owing from his pay. Frederick’s elder brother Henry served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was killed in action on 31 July 1917. His story also appears on this website.