From the Burnt Records, Peter Inns & Kay Collins

When Sidney Burgess enlisted at Rushden on the 9th August 1915 he was 22 years old, 5' 10" tall, with a 37" chest (2" expansion) and of good physical development, weighing 140 pounds, and he lived with his parents at 27 Harborough Road. He joined D Company 3rd Battalion and after training, he left for France on 9th March 1916 and joined the 6th Battalion in the field on 19th April.

A gun shot wound to his right shoulder meant a transfer back to England and a stay at North Evington Hopital in Leicester, followed by 6 weeks at Alnwick Military Hospital. He was granted furlough from 6th to 15th September 1916 and then returned to France on the 2nd November, rejoining the 6th Battalion on the 19th. An injury to his left hand middle finger in March 1917 meant another hospitalisation, this time at Warncliffe, Sheffield and then furlough from 17th to 26th May 1917. He returned to France and once again joined the 6th Battalion on 17th August 1917. Sidney was killed in action on 23rd March 1918.

Mr and Mrs J Burgess, of 27 Harborough road, Rushden, received news of this (Friday) morning that their son, Pte S Burgess, of the Northants Regt, has received a bullet wound in the shoulder, and arrived at the North Evington Military Hospital, Leicester, yesterday. In a letter to his parents, under yesterday's date he writes:- "Just a few lines to tell you that I was wounded in action on July, 1st, and I am now in 'Blighty' at Leicester Hospital. It happened in the advances on the Somme, but it is not serious - a bullet wound in the right shoulder.

Saved by a Pocket Wallet - Rushden Soldier's Narrow Escape - Pte S Burgess Doing Well

In our last issue we reported that Pte S Burgess (Rushden) was wounded in the British Advance on the Somme on July 1st and was in Leicester Hospital. He wrote home and said that his wound was not serious - just a bullet wound in the right shoulder. Since then Pte Burgess's father, Mr J Burgess, has paid a visit to his son, and, in his own words, "found him doing well."

Pte Burgess showed him a pocket wallet which he had in breast pocket when the bullet struck him. The bullet entered the wallet spoiling several photographs, but was detracted from entering the soldier's heart. But for the pocket wallet, in the soldier's own opinion, the bullet would have killed him.

Rushden's Casualty List

Mr and Mrs John Burgess, of 27 Harborough-road, Rushden, have received official news of the death in action on March 23rd of their youngest son, 20350, Pte Sydney Burgess of the Northants Regiment. He enlisted in August, 1915, up to which time he was employed by Messrs. Nurrish and Pallett. He had been in France altogether over two years, and had twice been wounded. As a lad he passed through the Park road Baptist Sunday School, and his name is inscribed on the Roll of Honour of that church. One other son, 48993, Pte Fred Burgess, also of the County Regiment, has been missing from his unit since March 26th. His wife is now residing with her mother, Mrs Fairey, in Harborough road, Rushden. Pte Fred Burgess joined up on July 20th, last year, and went to France early in January this year. He formerly worked for Messrs. Knight and Lawrence, Rushden.

The Late Pte. Sidney Burgess

(Standing at left) this photograph was one of the packet struck by a German bullet.

Pte Sidney Burgess, of 27 Harborough Road, Rushden, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Burgess, who served in the Northants Regiment, is officially reported to have been killed in action on March 23^rd. The deceased soldier had twice been wounded. In July 1916, a bullet hit his pocket wallet, passed through the metal fastener and into a large packet of photographs, where it lodged undoubtedly saving his life. He joined up three years ago next August with his cousin and both have now made the great sacrifice. He has put in two years’ service overseas. His brother Pte. Fred Burgess, of Harborough road, Rushden (Northants Regiment) is reported as missing since March 26^th. He joined up the day his brother went to France and himself went overseas in January 1918.

Struck Down at Last - Twice-Wounded Rushden Man Killed in Action

Pte Sidney Burgess, of 27 Harborough-road, Rushden, son of Mr and Mrs John Burgess, who served in the Northants Regt., is officially reported to have been killed in action on March 23rd. The deceased soldier had been two times wounded. In July, 1916, a bullet hit his pocket wallet, passed through the metal fastener, and into a large packet of photographs, where it lodged, this undoubtedly saving his life. He joined up three years ago next August, with his cousin, and both have been now made the great sacrifice. He has put in two years of service overseas. His brother, Pte Fred Burgess, of Harborough-road, (Northants Regt.) is reported missing since March 26th. He joined up the day his brother went to France, and himself went overseas in January, 1918.