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F J Burroughs RNR Lowestoft Mined 1918

In the “Died on Service” section of the personal notices in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated 10th August 1918, the following appeared:-

 

BURROUGHS – On July 31st, 1918, his vessel striking a mine, Fredrick James (Fred), the dearly loved only son of Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Burroughs, of Aldeby House, Lowestoft, and eldest grandson of Mr. W. Burroughs, Flaxburgh House Avenue, South Lowestoft, aged 23 years.

“He died that we might live. Loved by all.”

 

A picture of him appears in the weekly gallery of “East Anglian Heroes” in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated 31st August 1918. The caption reads Second Engineer F J Burroughs, R.N.R., Lowestoft, killed through his vessel being mined.

 

That sailor on CWGC is:

BURROUGHS, FREDERICK JAMES

Rank:…………………......Engineman

Service No:…………….1557TS

Date of Death:……….31/07/1918

Age:…………………….....23

Service:……………….....Royal Naval Reserve

………………………..........H.M. Drifter "City of Liverpool."

Panel Reference:……31.

Memorial:…………….....CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

Additional Information:

Son of Sidney Robert and Laura Emma Burroughs, of 19, Grove Rd., Lowestoft, Suffolk.

CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/3047154/BURROUGHS,%20...

 

The WW1 Naval Casualties database records that Engine-Man 1557.T.S. (CH) Frederick James Burroughs, Royal Naval Reserve, was “Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action” on the 31st July 1918 whilst serving aboard HM Drifter City of Liverpool. Frederick was born Lowestoft on the 15th November 1894. The next of kin informed of his death was his mother, Laura, of Aldeby House, Whapload Road, Lowestoft.

 

The Royal Naval Reservist service records for TS 1557 Frederick James Burroughs, who was born Lowestoft on the 15th November 1894, are held at the National Archive under reference

BT 377/7/111480

discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8569794

 

There is no obvious Civil Probate for this man

 

15th November 1894 – Birth

 

(Source WW1 Naval Casualties and the National Archive Catalogue entry for his Service Records).

 

The birth of a Frederick James Burroughs was registered with the Civil Authorities in the District of Mutford in Suffolk in the October to December quarter, (Q4), of 1894.

 

(Mutford District covered Lowestoft and the nearby villages).

 

The baptism of a Frederick James Burroughs, no date of birth recorded, took place at St Margaret, Lowestoft on the 23rd December 1894. His parents were Sidney Robert and Laura Ann.

familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9G5-QMB

 

1901 Census of England and Wales

 

The 6 year old Frederick Burroughs, born Lowestoft, was recorded living at 207 Raglan Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents although only his mother was home on the night of the census. She was Laura Burroughs, aged 27 and born Lowestoft, who describes herself as the Wife of the Head of the Household. As well as Frederick her other children living with her are:-

Sidney……..aged 4…born Lowestoft

Lilly……….aged 3…born Lowestoft

Laura……...aged 1…born Lowestoft.

Also living with them is the 65 year old widow Elizabeth Strange, living on own means and from Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk. She gives her relationship to the head of household as Mother but would seem more likely she was the mother of Laura.

 

1911 Census of England and Wales

 

The Burroughs family were now recorded living at Aldeby House, Whapload Road, Lowestoft. The head of the household is recorded as Sydney Burroughs, a 37 year old Fishing Boat Owner and Employer who was born Lowestoft. He and Laura, (37), have been married 16 years and have had 4 children, all then still alive and living with them. They were Frederick Burroughs, (16), a Herring Fisherman), Sidney, (14), a Labourer, Lily, (13) and Laura, (11). Also living with them is their 2 year old niece, Marjorie Tench(?), born Lowestoft.

 

On the day

 

On July 31st, 1918, the British navy drifter HMD City Of Liverpool was sunk by a mine from the German submarine UC-71 (Walter Warzecha), in the Downs off South Foreland. 10 persons were killed.

www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?190423

 

HMD City of Liverpool, an 88 tons (GRT) Drifter, was built in 1907 by Cochrane & Sons Ltd., Selby. Her Peace-time operator: City Drifters Ltd., Great Yarmouth. Mined in the Downs off South Foreland. UC 71 (Walter Warzecha). 10 Fatalities.

uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/1302.html

 

Wednesday, 31 July 1918

 

City of Liverpool, hired drifter, patrol boat, mined and sunk in Dover Straits

BROWN, Arthur J, Engineman, RNR, ES 537

BURROUGHS, Frederick J, Engineman, RNR, TS 1557

BUSS, George, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 20746

CRAMPTON, Alfred, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 18020

DEWLING, Moses, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 10559

GREEN, Charles A, Ty/Skipper, RNR

HOLMES, John T, 2nd Hand, RNR, DA 36

MURRAY, Kenneth, Leading Deck Hand, RNR, A 3304

NOEL, Herbert, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 5813

REID, George, Deck Hand, RNR, DA 19602

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1918-07Jul.htm

 

(Mildly photoshopped to minimise the visual impact of damage that was present on the original image.)

 

 

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Uploaded on May 30, 2017
Taken on March 7, 2017