Bernard BURKE

BURKE, Bernard. Corporal 9041, 3rd Worcestershire Regiment, died of wounds 19th July 1916 aged 29.
He was the son of Michael and Emma and he was the husband of Beatrice Downes, nee Pitt of 17, Hurcott Road, Kidderminster.

He is commemorated on his one years old son's memorial in Kidderminster Cemetery, Worcestershire. He is at rest in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

Some notes from what remains of his army record. He joined the Worcestershire Regiment on the 18th January 1905 at Worcester and posted to the Regimental Depot the same day. He was the posted to 3rd Battalion on the 21st March 1905. He was living with his parents at 312 Hurcroft Road, New Place, Kidderminster. He served in South Africa from the 27th November 1907 to 1st October 1908 and then India from the 27th November 1908. On the 18th July 1911 he was transferred to the Army Reserve with his consent before the expiration of his period of army service. In 1911 he was with the 3rd Battalion at Shaft Barracks, Western Heights, Dover Castle. On the 5th of August 1914 he was recalled to the colours and he was posted to the 3rd Battalion. He was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal on the 25th January 1915, and paid, Lance Corporal on the 17th August 1915, He was then paid full corporal on the 27th November 1915. In between he got married to Beatrice Downes at the Roman Catholic Church, Kidderminster on the 5th April 1915. He was posted to France on the 12th August 1915 with the 3rd Battalion. On the 6th July 1916 his life changed, he was shot and wounded in the head. He was treated firstly at 76th Field Ambulance, transferred the same day to 3rd Causality Clearing Station, later that day to 23rd General Hospital Etaples. He died of his wounds, fractured skull, at 7-30pm on the 19th July 1916. Cause of death, fractured skull. He left a widow and one child, Gerald Bernard Burke, born 2nd January 1914.