Sapper WR/312128 George Robert Burgess, Royal Engineers, Inland Water Transport...

...was born the 12th of January 1886, the youngest son of Jason Burgess and Helen Mary Wright.

The 1891 census records him with his family at Bellevue Cottages, Seaside, Eastbourne. Jason, aged 49, was a general corporation labourer, born at Hellingly. Helen, aged 47, was born at Enfield, Middlesex. Children recorded, all born at Eastbourne, are Albert, aged 11, Emily, aged 8, Jane, aged 7, George, aged 5, and Kathleen, aged 1.

Still at Bellevue for the 1901 census. Jason is a gasworks labourer. Helen is a laundress. Children recorded are Emily, a domestic service charwoman, Jane, a domestic service kitchen maid, Kate and George, who is a chemist’s errand boy.

The 1911 census records the family at 37, Seaford Road, Eastbourne. Jason, aged 69, is a gas worker. Helen is aged 63. The couple had been married for thirty four years and had produced five children, all still alive. Children recorded are Emily, Jane, George, and Kate. Also present is grandson Harold Burgess, aged 5, born at Eastbourne. [The census records that Helen, Emily and George are all deaf.]

George was working as a labourer and attested at Newhaven on the 13th of August 1914, into the General Service, Royal Sussex Regiment, and his enlistment form notes that he had completed a term of engagement with the 1st Sussex RE Volunteers; the attestation form is signed by Captain Whyte of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

On the 8th of October he was examined at Shorncliffe Military Hospital where he was found to have "catarral deafness" and a certificate recommending discharge was signed on this date. On the 19th of October, he was discharged from the Army under paragraph 392 (iii) (c) as not likely to become an efficient soldier, he left the service on the 21st of October after just 64 days. His character was recorded as "indifferent".

This poor character reference was no doubt influenced by his poor record of discipline. Whilst at Colchester, on the 23rd of August 1914 he got himself drunk and created a disturbance for which he received 7 days "confined to barracks". Drunkenness on the 29th of the month earned him a fine of 2/6d. On September the 18th, at 10pm, he was drunk in barracks for which he was recommended for discharge.

Whilst at Shorncliffe, on the 9th of October, he absented himself from duty until reveille the following day for which he was given five days CB (Confined to Barracks).

In spite of the foregoing, George seemed determined to serve his country and he joined the Royal Navy, enlisting on the 7th of August 1915, with the service number K27671. He was on HMS Victory II from enlistment to the 3rd of March 1916 whilst training. HMS Halcyon from the 4th of March to the 5th of May then back to the Victory from the 6th of May to the 30th of July. From the 1st July to the 1st of September 1916 he was at Greenwich (hospital?). Part of his record is difficult to read but he returned to Victory II and made himself absent for 21 days(?) - writing indistinct, but he was apparently discharged for what seems to have been deafness (and quite possibly his poor record), on the 2nd of August 1917.

Still not put off by his military experience, he joined the Royal Engineers. He was accidentally drowned near Le Havre on the 24th of November 1918 at the age of 32.

He is buried in Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre and is remembered on the grave of his parents, Jason who died on the 30th of November 1926 at the age of 83 and Helen who died on the 4th of June 1918 at the age of 70. A plaque on the family grave records that he died "through submersion".