Extended Description
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.
I read the book "Shot at Dawn". There was an execution of a soldier who's brother was serving along side him. His brother was made to stand, as a deterrent, along with the company of the soldier to be shot, to witness his death. The firing party was also made up of men from his own company. Another instance, a soldier who was Court Martialled and his sentence deferred to a later date. He was still in custody and one morning, whilst playing football with other prisoners, he was approached and told he was being shot that morning. It is said that this soldier did not even know what the verdict of his sentence was. Those two lads always stick in my mind. What a waste, the officers had no idea what effect the war had on their men. They were boys, they were not traitors or cowards, they were simply frightened kids. War teaches hard lessons.
 
a brother watching his own brother shot? What were they thinking? I never knew of that mate and it has shocked me to the core. I must read the book.
 
This memorial has been re-dedicated recently to add 3 lost names,
Corporal Jesse Short
Jack Braithwaite 31 (2nd battalion Otago Regiment) and William Lewis (124th Royal Field Artillery) were both executed on 29th Oct 1916, exactly 100 years ago
 
So sad that these men's lives were taken in this way. The statue is very thought provoking too.
Glad they are keeping the names updated
 

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COMMEMORATION to the fallen in both world wars
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