Private 1442 John Burke

Family details:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Burke, of 23, Barrow St., St. Helens, Lancs. Mother Mary is sole legatee.

Census details:
1901 - 9 years old John is living at 28 Milk Street, St Helens with his parents William (43), Mary (41) and four siblings: James (12), Maggie (11), Mary A (8), Joseph (4). Also at the address is visitor Ann Naylor (75). 1911 - Sees 19 year old 'Glass Polisher' John living at 12 Milk Street, St Helens with his parents William (53), Mary (51) and four siblings: James (22), Emily (20), Mary A (18), Joseph (14).

Details from the war diary of the days leading up to Pte Burke's death. It isn't known on which day he received the wounds from which he died 6th May 1915 2:00 am Casualties during the day being Capt STANNARD and 2 rank and file killed, Capt MacPHAIL and 59 rank and file wounded 7th May 1915 Remained at LA BRIQUE in reserve 8th May 1915 9:00 am A & B Coys under Major PILKINGTON sent up to support Monmouth Regt 1 Coy going straight into front trenches and one remaining in support. Remainder of battalion under Lt Col PILKINGTON moved up to WIELTJE where it was thought the enemy might have broken through the line. The line was found to be intact. C Coy under Capt DICKINSON being left with one Machine Gun in the defended posts around WIELTJE Hqrs, 1 Coy 2 Machine Guns returned to LA BRIQUE. 9th May 1915 3:00 am Casualties during the 8th - Capts TAYLOR & HEATON wounded, Lt ACTON wounded, subsequently died of wounds, 8 rank and file killed, 13 rank and file wounded 10th May 1915 9:00 pm "D" Coy (under Lt EATON) relieved "C" Coy at WIELTJE. Lt MacPHAIL wounded. ? Rank and file killed, one rank and file wounded. [pic]imgs/WW1_misc/1442JohnBurke.jpg[/pic][caption]Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929[/caption] [center][pic2]imgs/WW1_ext/Burke_Jn_1442.png[/pic2][/center][caption]The St Helens Newspaper & Advertiser - Courtesy Ste M[/caption] [pic]imgs/WW1_people/1442JohnBurke.jpg[/pic][caption]Courtesy Of Bec Tait[/caption] [pic]imgs/WW1_people/Burke_J_1442_1.jpg[/pic][caption]Private John Burke[/caption] [pic]imgs/WW1_people/Burke_J_1442_2.jpg[/pic][caption]The Saddle, Westfield Street[/caption] [pic]imgs/WW1_headstones/Burke_J_1442_3.jpg[/pic][caption]The original grave marker of Private John Burke at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) (Photographs courtesy of Richard Burke.)[/caption] [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/Burke_J_1442_SLR.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone of Private John Burke at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) (Photo courtesy of Ste M.)[/caption]