226006 Pte. Samuel Burns British Army 1st Btn, B Coy Royal Irish Fusiliers from:10 James Street, Bessbrook, County Armagh (d.27th Aug 1914) Samuel Burns, my Great Uncle, was born in 1892, the son of Mary Ann Burns (nee McKinstry) and John Burns. He served with 1st battalion Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) and was based in Shorncliffe, England at the outbreak of WW1. They immediately mobilised to York, then Harrow before travelling to Bolougne on 22 August 14. On arrival they then travelled by train to Le Cateau to support the BEF withdrawal from Mons. He fought at the battle of Le Cateau as part of the 4th Division 10 Brigade in the area of Haucourt during the day and night of 26th August 1914. They held the ridge between St Aubert Farm and Point 137. As the fighting went on it was clear that the German gun barrage was too overpowering and they risked being surrounded or flanked so the order was given to retreat South. It was during this retreat that Samuel was killed on 27th August 1914. His body was never found and he is remembered at the memorial for the missing at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre. He was originally posted as missing with his death confirmed by the War Office on 20th January 1916. In his will he wrote "In the event of my death, I give all my love to all those I leave behind. That's about all I can do. So they can go to the bank and draw. I leave breath and my money. They can spend it anyway". His brother Isaac was my Great Grandfather.
|