Add New Content


Please log in or register to add new content.

Login

Report Inaccuracies


William Burke (1890-)


Schoolmaster from Witton Gilbert, served with 20th Battalion DLI, awarded Military Medal


William Burke was born in Witton Gilbert on 14 December 1890, the son of Patrick Burke, a coal miner, and his wife, Hannah. William had four brothers and three sisters and, at the time of the 1911 Census, he was living at home and working as an elementary school teacher.

On 15 September 1914, William Burke enlisted in the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, which was being raised in Newcastle by the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce. He was then working as a clerk. A year later, in September 1915, Private Burke was discharged from the Northumberland Fusiliers. Amongst his surviving service papers is his Conduct Sheet, which records his being punished for not shaving and for being absent without leave.

William Burke then enlisted in the DLI and, after his initial training with the 3rd Battalion, joined the 20th Battalion DLI overseas. in July 1917. On 25 September private Burke was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. He was then recommended for a commission and was commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant in May 1918. He finally left the Army in 1920.

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 14-Dec-1890

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 17 Blackett Street, Witton Gilbert (1891 Census)
12 Elliott Street, Sacriston (1901 & 1911 Census)

Religion: Roman Catholic

Employment: Elementary school teacher (1911 Census).
Clerk (1914 Attestation).

Family: Father: Patrick Burke
Mother: Hannah Burke (nee Dolan)
Siblings: Michael, Mary, John, Thomas, Julia, Patrick & Katherine Burke

Military service:

16/965 Private, 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
3/12516 Private 3rd Battalion DLI, later transferred to 20th Battalion DLI.
Commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant, 28 May 1918.

Medal(s): Military Medal (London Gazette 28 September 1917)
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Sacriston Institute Roll of Honour 1914-1918, now in the Fulforth Centre, Sacriston
Sacriston Working Men’s Club Roll of Honour 1914-1918

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office. Jack Mulligan, Lewis Cooper and Daniel Hyatt | John Edwards |

Comments on this story


Comment

There are no comments on this story yet.