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Pte. James Francis Burke
British Army 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers
My grandfather, James Francis Burke, joined the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment before WW1. His name is in Worcester Cathedral on a panel listing all the 2nd battalion men who left from there. Previously he was in India with the regiment.
He was wounded at one point and evacuated to England, thus missing the famous action in Gheluvelt, and I have his metal 'wound stripe' along with his other medals and items. As an original BEF man, he was put in battles again and again. He told my father he was gassed by his own side - we are not sure where. A good marksman, he was a sniper at one stage. I also have his copy of the WW1 Regimental History - a huge green book. He was very proud to have served with the Worcesters.
He survived the war and worked in the London Docks as a crane driver. He lived at 28 Tillman Street, Shadwell with his wife and children until the family were moved to Becontree in the 1930s. He died of cancer during WW2 so, sadly, I never met him. I only have stories from my father (also James Francis) who has also passed away.
