James Percy Burbidge

Story:
James Percy Burbidge was born in 1889 in Shaftesbury and baptised on 3rd August, 1890, at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury. He was the son of Sidney Burbidge, a labourer, and Ellen Burbidge (née Gurd). At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a gardener and living in Layton Lane, Shaftesbury. He enlisted at Elveden, Suffolk, as a Private in the Suffolk Regiment (Service No. 13758) and by the time of his death had been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He served in France and Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 1915 Star medals. He was presumed killed in action on 6th October 1915 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion and his name appears on the Loos Memorial, Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas de Calais, France (Panel 37 & 38). He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials. He also appears on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church and on the Holy Trinity Memorial, now in St. Peter's Church, Shaftesbury.  His financial effects went to his father whilst his mother received a pension until her death in 1928. (NB.  The military records as well as many of the census records show the surname spelt as 'BURBRIDGE' but the father and son were in fact Burbidge and the spelling has been corrupted over the years as is often the case.)