Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Cox Burnham, a chimney sweep, born on the 7th January 1849 in Belton, Rutland and his wife Rebecca Ann Burnham (nee Ablett, married on the 24th November 1873 in St. George’s Church, Leicester), born 1847 in Hallaton, Leicestershire. John Edward was born in the 1st quarter of 1891 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th January 1891 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, his siblings were William, an apprentice chimney sweep, born in the 4th quarter of 1877 and baptised on the 3rd October 1877 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, Sarah Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born on the 17th November 1878 and baptised on the 12th March 1879 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, Ada, a schoolgirl, born on the 21st February 1882 and baptised on the 22nd March 1882 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 3rd December 1883 and baptised on the 2nd January 1884 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, Mary Jane, a schoolgirl, born in the 2nd quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 27th May 1885 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel and Grace, born on the 6th February 1887 and baptised on the 21st July 1887 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, all his siblings were born in Mountsorrel, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Mountsorrel. In March 1901 John was residing in the family home at Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel, together with his father, a chimney sweep, his mother and siblings, Sarah, Annie and Grace. In April 1911 John was employed as a joiner and was residing in the family home at 12, Hawcliffe Road, Mountsorrel, together with his father, a chimney sweep, his mother and sister Annie, a dressmaker. John also had the following siblings. Walter, born on the 6th January 1876 in Mountsorrel and Ernest, born in the 3rd quarter of 1880 and baptised on the 20th October 1880 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel and who died in the 3rd quarter of 1882 in Mountsorrel, aged 2.
His elder brother William died.
John enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 2nd July 1914 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 1971. He gave his place of birth as Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and age as 23 years 7 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as carpenter his present employer being Mr. Webster of Mountsorrel. He gave his present address as The Green, Mountsorrel.
He confirmed that he had previously with the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and that he was (Time Expired).
His medical examination took place in Mountsorrel on the 2nd July 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 7½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Edward Burnham, Hawcliff Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regiment. Pte. 2/7/14.
Appointed. Lance Sergeant. 28/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 5/8/14.
Promoted. Sergeant. 22/11/14.
Embarked. 26/2/15.
Landed. Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 25/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 2/7/14 – 27/2/15. 241 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 25/9/15. 210 days.
Total Service. 1 year 86 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John’s surviving service record amounts to a total of fourteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
John’s mother was awarded a weekly Army Pension of seven shillings, to commence on the 16th May 1916.
The War Diary Records: 25 Sept-15 - TRENCHES. At 3.50am bombardment of HOOGE. Enemy replied and also shelled A1 and 50. At 5.56am Straw which had been put out by night was lighted in front of 50. Smoke bombs were thrown from 49 and A1. This promptly drew fire. 50 and A1 were heavily shelled and 49 trench mortared. Artillery telephone communication lost but 3rd LINCOLNSHIRE Battery and 2nd DERBYSHIRE Howitzer fired over 50 and 49 and later 4th STAFFORDSHIRE Battery. About 7.l5am bombardment ended and the rest of the day was fairly quiet.
On Monday, October 4th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Three Mountsorrel Men Killed. -Information has been received at Mountsorrel that Sergeant John Burham and Private G. Street have been killed in action in Flanders. Both young men belonged to the 1/5 Leicestershire Territorial’s. Sergeant Burnham, who joined the Territorial’s some time previous to the outbreak of the war, was well known and respected in the village, and much sympathy is felt with his parents, who reside in Hawcliffe-road. Burnham was 28 years of age, and was with Mr. M. Webster, building contractor, for a number of years. Private Street’s parents reside in Watling-street. He was 21 years of age, and was an employee of the Mountsorrel Granite Company. On the receipt of the sad news flags were flying half mast at the works of the company. Private Alf Woolston, of the 1/5 Leicestershire Regiment, is also reported to have fallen a victim to a sniper. His two brothers, who were with him at the time, have been allowed a few days leave from the trenches to visit their parents, who reside on the Green. The unfortunate lad was only 19 years of age, and was previously employed at the Quarries. Many expressions of sympathy have been extended towards the parents in their sad loss.
On Friday October 8th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THREE MOUNTSORREL MEN KILLED. Information has been received at Mountsorrel that Sergeant John Burnham and Private G. Street have been killed in action in Flanders. Both young men belonged to the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s. Sergeant Burnham, who joined the Territorial’s some time previous to the outbreak of the war, was well known and respected in the village, and much sympathy is felt with his parents, who reside at Hawcliffe-road. Burnham was 28 years of age, and was with Mr. F. Webster, building contractor, for a number of years. Private Street’s parents reside in Watling street. He was 21 years of age, and was an employee of the Mountsorrel Granite Company. On the receipt of the sad news flags were flying half mast at the works of the company. Private Alf Woolston, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment, is reported to have fallen victim to a sniper. His two brothers who were with him at the time have been allowed a few days leave from the trenches to visit their parents, who reside on the Green. The unfortunate lad was only 19 years of age, and was previously employed at the Quarries. Many expressions of sympathy have been extended towards the parents in their loss.
On Thursday, October 14th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LOCAL CASUALIES – Sergeant JOHN H. BURNHAM, of the 1/5 Leicestershire Territorial’s, who was killed in action at Hooge on September 25th, belonged to Mountsorrel, and was 24 years of age. He had been a member of the Soar Valley Territorial’s for some time before the outbreak of war. He was a well known worker at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was with Mr. Edward Webster, building contractor, for a number of years.
On Friday October 15th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THREE MOUNTSORREL SOLDIERS KILED. Sergeant John E. Burnham, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, who was killed in action at Hooge on September 25th, belonged to Mountsorrel, and was 24 years of age. He had been a member of the Soar Valley Territorial’s for some time before the outbreak of war. He was a well known worker at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was with Mr. Edward Webster for a number of years. Private Alfred Woolston, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, has been killed somewhere in France. Deceased whose two brothers are with the colours, was 19 years of age, and was one of the first of the men of Mountsorrel to volunteer for active service. He was previously employed with the Mountsorrel Granite Co., who showed their sympathy by flying their flags at half mast at their works on receipt of the sad news. Private George Street, whose parents reside in Watling-street, Mountsorrel, was killed in action in France on September 25th. He was 21 years of age, and joined the 5th Battalion Leicester Regiment on the outbreak of the war, having some time previously been in the Royal Marines. He was an old boy of St. Peter’s School, and a bugler in the local troop of B.P. Scouts. He was for the last five years employed by the School Boot Co., Mountsorrel. In a letter to his parents, the Lieutenant of the Company writes:- He was popular with all, and he will be greatly missed. He was under me from the time he joined the battalion, and all the while I have known him he proved himself a model of cheerfulness and willingness. He died as he had lived – a good soldier.
On Tuesday, October 26th,1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER’S KILLED IN ACTION.” (With an accompanying photograph) – Sergt. J. E. Burnham, 5th Batt. aged 24; home, Mountsorrel.
On Friday October 29th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – MOUNTSORREL. – MEMORIAL SERVICE. A memorial service was held at the Wesleyan Methodist Church on Wednesday evening, a large congregation assembling to pay a tribute to the memory of the late Sergt. John E. Burnham, who was killed in Flanders, September 25th, fighting for his King and country. Mr. Joseph Lee Crosby spoke in sympathetic terms of the dead soldier, who had given his life for others, having volunteered for active service at the beginning of the war. The deceased was a member of the Wesleyan Church, and had endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact by his genial manner and earnestness of purpose. The congregation sang the hymn, “Oh God our help in ages past,” and Mr. Howard Tyler played the Dead March in “Saul.”