James John Burden

Story:
James John Burden was born in Hartgrove, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16 Nov 1877 the son of James John Rideout Burden and Sarah Ann Burden (nee Elliott).  He lived much of his early life in Guy's Marsh, Shaftesbury, Dorset, until by 1911 he was boarding out in Yeovil, Somerset, where he worked as a Shoeing Smith.  He had enlisted on 22 May 1916 and joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 170191).  He is thought to have served In France & Flanders with the 288th Army Transport Company as a Shoeing Smith where he was wounded in action and discharged as being physically unfit on the 2 Nov 1918. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals along with the Silver War Badge No. B37319.  By the 1921 Census he was living with his parents at Kit Hill, Shaftesbury, described as a Farmer. He married Lucy Delve in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11 Oct 1923.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 159 Western Road, Cuckfield, Sussex, working as a General Smith.  His death was recorded at Haywards Heath, Sussex, on 15 Mar 1962 and his last home address was recorded as Hapstead House, Ardingly, Sussex. James's brothers, William Ernest Burden, Victor Thomas Burden and Albert Edward Burden, all served in the conflict and their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.