Ordinary Seaman William Harold Burrows

Rank or Title

Date of Birth

4 Jan 1898

Date of Death

10 May 1917

Regiment

Service Number

J/36685

Place of Birth

Islington
United Kingdom

World War I Address

4 Naseby Road
Luton
United Kingdom

Place of Death

At sea
United Kingdom

Grave Location

Shotley St Mary Churchyard
Nr Harwich
United Kingdom

War Memorial Location

Soldier or Civilian

  • Soldier

Source

The Luton News , 24th May 1917
Seaman William Harold Burrows

Ordinary Seaman William Harold Burrows, J/36685, Royal Navy, met an accidental death while serving on HMS Dido on May 10th, 1917. He was aged 19.

A letter from the ship's captain to parents George Ernest and Eliza Burrows at 4 Naseby Road, Luton, said: "I very much regret to inform you that your son fell overboard from a boat attached to H.M. Ship Dido, under my command, and was drowned. The coxswain and crew made every possible effort to rescue him but, unfortunately, without success. I regret to add that the body has not yet been recovered." [His body was eventually recovered and buried at Shotley St Mary Churchyard, near Harwich.]

Born in Islington, London, on January 4th, 1898, he had joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor in 1915 and became an ordinary seaman the following year. His family moved to Luton after the 1911 Census, when they were shown living in Stevenage.

Individual Location

Seaman William Harold Burrows

Author: Deejaya

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