224232 Pte. Alexander John Burrett British Army 1st Btn. A Company East Lancashire Regiment from:London Jack Burrett enlisted in December 1911 giving his age as 17 and six months when actually only sixteen and three months. He was mustered to the ranks when believed he had reached 18 and posted to A Company.
He was wounded twice. Firstly on 29th of November 1914 and secondly on 1st July 1916. Ironically he died from tuberculosis on the 1st July 1947 aged 51 when I was less than 12 years of age. I knew from a certain photograph father had been in the army but nothing more until I wrote up a general family history for family members.
Father was born at Hounslow's Cavalry on 5th September 1895 on which anniversary the Battle of the Marne commenced. His father, my grandfather Squadron Sergeant Major John Burrett, born in September 1858, had become the 8th Hussars riding trainer by that time. According to my two paternal aunts I was told that he coached newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Winston Churchill of the 4th Hussars to ride military style.
I am composing an anthology of events during father's service time and searching for information regarding his time with the 1st East Lancashire Battalion. I am to complete my anthology by 1st July 2016 whilst I still can and have time and would be grateful for any news I can gather. I do know from a TV's "Who do you think you are?" some time ago that Matthew Kelly's grandfather who also served in the 1st East Lancashire's. He was wounded and taken prisoner on that day 1st July 1916.
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