Corporal, 202728, James Burgess (20) – Died of Wounds

7th Seaforth Highlanders, 29th March 1918

Family Grave of James Burgess at Boharm Old Churchyard Cemetery, Banffshire

Military

James Burgess enlisted at Elgin, Morayshire. He served within the Seaforth Highlanders, initially in the 4th Battalion as number 2634 where he achieved the rank of Corporal. He then moved to the 7th Battalion as number 202728 where records show that at some time he was an Acting Serjeant. He served in the France / Belgium Theatres of War.

He died of wounds at the No.3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens, France on 29 March 1918 aged 20 years and is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1, Somme, France.

Cap Badge of the 7th Seaforth Highlanders, similar to the one which would have been worn by James Burgess.

Dufftown News and Speyside Advertiser

From the above publication dated 13 April 1918 :- “Mr and Mrs. Burgess, Fountainhead, Boharm have received word that their fourth son, Sergeant James Burgess, Seaforths, has died in hospital in France of wounds and shell shock. While still a lad, he, along with his two elder brothers Frank and Alice, joined up soon after the outbreak of war.”

Family

James Burgess was born around 1898 at Boharm, Banffshire. In the 1901 Census his family were shown as:-

  • Mother – May Duffton Burgess, born c.1865
  • Father – Frances or Francis Burgess, born c.1864
  • Brother – George Gartly Burgess, born c.1891
  • Sister – May Burgess, born c.1892
  • Brother – Francis John Burgess, born c.1894
  • Brother – Alexander Burgess born about 1898
  • Sister – Lizzie Helen Burgess born about 1900

James Burgess was the fourth son to his parents.

Addresses

  • At the date of the 1901 Census his address was shown as Fountainhead, Boharm, Banffshire.
  • His family, following his death, were shown at Woodhead, Cairnty, Orton Station, Morayshire.

Medals

James Burgess was awarded the Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.

The Seaforth Highlanders Memorial, Elgin, Morayshire, currently located on the outside of the Public Library, Cooper Park which was once a unit Headquarters.

Memorials

He is honoured and remembered on the Boharm War Memorial, Banffshire and Boharm Old Churchyard Memorial, Banffshire.

Links to Additional Information

References

  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  • Medal Index Card.
  • Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919.
  • 1901 Census.
  • Lives of the First World War website.
  • Register of Soldiers Effects.
  • Medal Roll – Seaforth Highlanders – Victory and British War Medal.
  • Dufftown News and Speyside Advertiser dated 13 April 1918, page 2.

Groups

Contributors:-

  • Vincent Stuart