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James Burrows (1888-1917)


Staindrop miner served in the 22nd Battalion DLI remembered on the Staindrop memorial


Born in 1888, James Burrows was the son of William and Amy Burrows. James was born in Staindrop near Barnard Castle and spent his childhood in the village. James’ father William was a grocer but died in 1899 when James would only have been 11 years old. On the 1901 and 1911 census Amy has now become a grocer and also has a number of boarders living with her and her family.

The Bowes museum website, which contains more information about James, describes a local source who remembers Mrs Burrows as a grocer and landlady. This source also mentions that she had had 21 children but only three of these children had survived. Only three children appear on census records as born to William and Amy; James and his two older sisters Naomi and Alice. James’ sisters were quite a bit older than him and by 1911 were both married and living with their own families.

In 1911 James was living with his mother, and working as a miner above ground. 11 boarders were also living at the 10 roomed building, many of whom were new railroad workers.

James attested into the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) on 2 September 1914 and was posted to the 4th Battalion, an extra reserve battalion based at Barnard Castle. Shortly into the war this battalion moved to the Tyne Defences at Wallsend. Service records show James was often in trouble with the authorities at Wallsend for offences including being absent, not obeying orders, and striking a comrade. For these offences James forfeited pay and was confined to barracks for four or five days.

Following his time at Wallsend, James was posted to South Shields in May 1915. He joined the British Expeditionary Force in France just less than two years later. He was posted to the 22nd Battalion and joined them in the field on 28 March 1917.

James was killed in action on 7 September 1917, aged 29. He is buried in Motor Car Corner Cemetery in Belgium, and is remembered locally on several memorials in Staindrop.

https://www.thebowesmuseumww1.org.uk/person/1168-burrows-j/

Civil Parish: Staindrop

Birth date: 1888

Death date: 9-Sep-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: North Side, Staindrop, Barnard Castle (1891 Census)
Main Street, Staindrop, Barnard Castle (1901, 1911 Census)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Miner (1911 Census, Service Records)

Family: Parents: William Burrows, Amy Burrows nee Love
Siblings: Naomi Burrows, Alice Emily Burrows

Military service:

4th, 22nd Battalions Durham Light Infantry
Private
Service Number 4/9510

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Plaque 1914-18, St Mary’s Church, Staindrop
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Mary’s Church, Staindrop

Gender: Male

Contributed by StaindropWW1, Staindrop