William Jonathan Burwood

A Private with the 7th Battalion, William died on 27th of March 1918 at the age of 21. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 21 February 1897, a son of William and Charlotte Burwood. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 12 March 1897 and his family lived at Walton Road. In 1901 the family’s address was 16 Walton Road and this was William’s family home for the rest of his life. William attended Hervey Street Infant School and, on 8 January 1906 joined Saint John’s School, but left three days later to go to a ‘nearer school.’ In 1911 William was a baker’s errand boy. 

William enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion Suffolk Regiment, service number 2053. William was posted to eth 11th Battalion, in France, and joined B Company.

On 7 April 1917 William received a gunshot wound to his right thigh. He was evacuated via 31 Ambulance Train, at Aubigny, to Le Treport, arriving on 8 April. Once recovered William was posted to the 7th Battalion.  

On 26 March 1918 the 7th Battalion were given the task of protecting the approaches to the town of Albert against the German advance. A Company were to defend the railway cutting area with positions covering the Albert-Millencourt Road and the Albert-Amiens Road. In the next two days the Battalion held the defences but suffered 244 casualties. William was reported missing and later presumed to have been killed in action on 26 to 27 March 1918.