William Ernest Burden

Story:
William Ernest Burden was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Jun 1893 and baptised at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 2nd July 1893, the son of James John Rideout Burden and Sarah Anne Burden (née Elliott).  He lived all his life, apart from Military Service, in the Shaftesbury/Guy's Marsh area.  He enlisted and joined the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1681), later transferring to the Corps of Hussars (Service No. 230890).  It is not known where he served but on his discharge on 5 May 1919 was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living at Kit Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as a Dealer in Dairy Produce, Rabbits and Poultry. He married Elfreda Gladys Gray at St. James' Church, Shaftesbury, on 22nd November 1921. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 79 Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as an 'egg collector in a small way and garden labourer'. He was also an ARP Warden and a Shaftesbury Councillor. His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1967. William's brothers, Victor Thomas (b.1887) and Albert Edward (b. 1890) and James John (b. 1877) also served in the conflict and all their names appeared on a Roll of Honour published in the St. James' Church Parish Magazine in Nov 1918.