South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals | Ploegsteert Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 11 Nov 1914 in France | ~ | Curdworth |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| The Attack on Bas Maisnil | 6 August 1914 in Coventry | Poole, Dorset |
| Poole & Parkstone Grammar School | ||
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Bas Maisnil | ~ | |
Name
Please note that Ralph is erroneously known as Richard in his service records and CWGC Records.
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
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Ralph arrived in France on 11 Nov 1914 and was one of 150 other ranks who joined the Battalion at Merris on the same day. Ralph is listed as being killed in action just over a month later on 18th Dec 1914 during The Attack on Bas Maisnil which took place on 18th December. War Diary 18 Dec 1914War Diary - December 18th 1914 - The Bn was ordered to advance in 3 lines at 4.30 pm to attack and take the Germans Trenches which were in front of Le MAISNIL (see map I sent). The attack was proceeded by a heavy artillery bombardment by our artillery to which the enemy made hardly any reply. Attack was started by "B" Company on the right led by Capt Haddon, advancing in 2 lines: A Co advanced on the left in 2 lines with D Coy in the centre. C Coy formed the third line with entrenching tools. A Machine Gun was on each flank. Immediately the attack opened, the enemy opened a very heavy rifle & machine gun fire. The Battalion advanced under this with steadiness, suffering very heavy casualties. The 2/Queens sent 1 1/2 companies in support & although our dead were found only a few yards from the German trenches, the attack failed in its objective. What remained of the Bn subsequently retired into our trenches. Shortly After daylight [19th] the enemy came out & started examining our dead. Parties went out fr. our lines & buried some of the officers & collected discs from some of the killed. Owing to 2 officers of the Queens & several small parties of the Bn, when engaged in carrying our wounded into the enemy's lines, (the enemy refusing to allow us to remove our wounded) being made prisoners, & also owing to Lt Bover S.Staffords being killed while helping to collect our wounded, the informal armistice terminated Lt Col Brewis was found killed about 40 yards from the enemys line. Capt. Brownfield, Lts. Monk, Tucker, Campbell & Birt (attached R.E) together with 34 men were found a few yards from a German Machine gun. From evidence available, it is apparent that Capt Brownfield though previously wounded continued to lead the attack on the Gun. Other ranks casualties - 57 Killed, 87 wounded, 219 missing. Also killed during this action was Private 1765 Alfred Overs of Harbury and Private 1959 Edwin Wellings of Southam and there will undoubtedly be others found as we progress the research. Story of the Royal Warwick's Book ExtractExtract from page 79 of “The Story of the Royal Warwickshire by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford” December 18, when they were serving in the trenches, they had orders to capture the German position at Bois Grenier before Le Maisnil. Immediately the attack began the enemy opened fire with rifles and machine guns. Still the battalion advanced with great steadiness, and some men got within a few yards of the enemy trenches. But the casualties were so heavy that the attack failed in its objective, and what remained of the battalion was forced to return to its own lines. For the second time it had lost its Commanding Officer. Lieut-Colonel Brewis and eight other officers were killed, whilst two were wounded and one was missing. The total casualties of the other ranks were nearly 800. General Capper in a Divisional Order congratulated the battalion on their “gallant effort, which though unsuccessful had been of great use and service to the general plans of the Allied Army”. Curdworth Parish Newletter ExtractFrom the Parish Magazines of Curdworth & Minworth 1914-1917 Ralph Burden, R.I.P. - He came to us as a stranger two years ago, but we knew him as a member of our Men's Club, so far as he could be known at all. He was a reserved man, and never inclined to make confidences. What we did was all to the good. "One of the best I ever had work for me" says Mr. Gibbs, "As good as gold" says Mr. Gibbs. War was declated on August 4th and early on August 6th Ralph Burden had left Curdworth for ever. He was the first to answer the call "Your King and Country need you". Later on he sent his photograph with the words "I am sending you this which I thought you would like is case.............." He has answered another call, still more imperative. The action in which he lost his life on December 18, is described as "a gallant attempt to take the German trenches". The order published by General Capper is as follows: "I am directed by the Corps Commander to tell you that he has received a report of the gallant attempt made by the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment to take the enemy's trenches last night. In face of fierce fire, the service was most difficult, and the long list of casualties which the battalion suffered is evidence of their determined attempt to get in. The Corps Commander much regrets the loss of so many gallant officers and men, who have died in so gallant an effort. The attempt although unsuccessful has been of great use and service in the general plans of the Allied Army”. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 11 May 1894 at Poole, Dorset | 10 Jun 1894 at Heatherlands, Dorset |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William Thomas and Louisa Ann Burden | Heatherlands, Dorset |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Poole & Parkstone Grammar School | ~ |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1894 - Heatherlands, Dorset | 1911 - Builders Merchants Clerk |
| 1901 - Gladstone Road, Branksome, Dorset | 1912 - Working for a Mr. Gibbs of Curdworth |
| 1911 - 12 Gladstone Road, Parkstone, Dorset | |
| 1912 - Curdworth | |
| 1914 - Curdworth | |
Ralph sent two letters to his brother Percy which can be seen below. Percy served in Mesopotamin with the 1/4th Dorset Regiment and survived the war. We are grateful to Percy's grandson Mike Burden for providing the letters, photograph and Parish Magazine extracts featured herein. On 20 Dec 1923 Mike received Percy's Territorial Force War Medal.
