Herbert Francis BURDEN. Private 3832, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, Joined up age 16, sent to the front and shot aged 17 for desertion in the field on the 21st July 1915 in Belgium. Born on the 22nd March 1898 to Arthur John and Charlotte Mary, nee Donaldson, at 47 Silvermere Road, Catford, Lewisham, London. In 1911 he was living with his parents at 8 Doggate Road, Catford, Kent. Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.
A memorial to soldiers shot by their own side during WWI, a statue of a young soldier blindfolded and tied to a stake, unveiled in 2001 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire, is modelled on Pte Burden.
Notes from what remains of army records for Private 11012 Herbert Francis BURDEN
Enlisted at Deptford on the 23rd November 1914 aged 19 years and 240 days in the East Surrey Regiment, occupation, carman. His father, Arthur John, was his next of kin and he lived at 8 Doggate Road, Catford, .
Extract from the Declaration of a Court of Inquiry assembled at Dover on the 11th January 1915 for the purpose of investigating and recording the absence without leave (AWOL) from his duty and deficiency if any in the Arms. Ammunition, Equipment, Instruments, Regimental Necessaries or Clothing of No 11012 Pte H Burden, 3rd East Surrey Regiment.
DECLARATION
The court declare that No 11012 Pte H Burden, 3rd East Surrey Regiment absented himself without leave from his Commanding Officer at Shaft Barracks, Dover on the 14th December 1914, that he is sill illegally absent for a period exceeding 21 days and that on the 14th December 1914, he was deficient and still is so deficient of the following articles. (Which all his issued kit that every soldier was issued at that time)
No other record can be found for him while serving with the East Surrey Regiment. He may have re-joined the army serving as Private 3832 with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
http://bellewaarde1915.co.uk/men/private herbert burden.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4798025.stm
https://blindfoldandalone.wordpress.com
The Imperial War Museum have a complete list. See below link.
livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk
