22 Facts About Herbert Burden

Herbert Francis Burden was a soldier in the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War.

Herbert Burden was born on 22 March 1898, in Silvermere Road, Lewisham, the son of Arthur John Burden of Catford, a gardener, and Charlotte Mary, nee Donaldson.

Precisely establishing Herbert Burden's identity has proved somewhat problematic for historians.

Herbert Burden joined the East Surrey Regiment and was given service number 3832.

Herbert Burden lied about his age when he enlisted, as he was 16 years old at the time; officially, the minimum age was 19.

Herbert Burden was three weeks into his career with this second regiment, based in Dover Castle barracks, when in December 1914 he deserted again.

Herbert Burden's battalion arrived in France in August 1914 although Burden did not join them until March 1915.

Herbert Burden's battalion fought at the bitterly contested Battle of Bellewaarde in June 1915, in which both the British and German armies had suffered high losses.

Apart from the Bellewaarde assault, which Herbert Burden was absent for, his battalion experienced a relatively quiet few months at the front.

Shortly after this order was received, Herbert Burden left his post.

Herbert Burden was spotted with the neighbouring Royal West Kent Regiment the following day.

Herbert Burden later explained that he had gone there to comfort a colleague whom he said he had served with in 1913.

Herbert Burden said that he had "heard that he had lost a brother [and] I wanted to find out if it were true or not".

Herbert Burden's complexion was given as "fresh" with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

Herbert Burden appears to have had two tattoos, one on his right upper arm and another on his left forearm, of clasped hands and "Love Lilly" respectively.

Herbert Burden's sentence was confirmed by the commander of the British Second Army, General Sir Herbert Plumer.

Herbert Burden was shot on 21 July 1915, at the age of 17.

Herbert Burden was the youngest soldier to be executed by the British Army, although his age was never questioned during the proceedings, and Burden did not raise it himself.

Yet his unsatisfactory record in his few months of active service undoubtedly told against him; "unfortunately, Pte Herbert Burden had a bad record".

Herbert Burden compounded his situation on at least one occasion by going sick the day after being meted out a punishment.

Herbert Burden's name appeared on the roll of honour that was created after the war for St Lawrence's Church, Catford, although he does not appear on the war memorial subsequently erected within the church.

Herbert Burden is listed on Addenda Panel 60 of the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.