John Burden

Story:
John Burden was born about 1882 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and spent his early life in the Workhouse, Breach Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, along with his brother, Albert Burden.  There is no record of his parents.  He enlisted with the Territorial Special Reserves of the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private on 30 Nov 1908 (Service No. 204).  He attended a lengthy course at Netley Military Hospital, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire, and attended intermittent annual training camps (being admonished for failure to attend at times).   He was mobilized on 5 Aug 1914 and served in France and Flanders and discharged on 16 Dec 1915 having completed the terms of his engagement.  He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star.   He had claimed allowances for three children citing Bessie Burden as his partner.  The claims were disallowed as the children were born out of wedlock and there was no evidence of a marriage.  His last address was Shoulder of Mutton Green, East Wickham, Kent.  There is no other information available in this case.