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Details contained in Service record of Frederick Burgar

Name	Frederick Burgar
Age	20y + 3mo.
Height	5' 4.5"
Chest (normal-expanded)	30-34
Complexion	fresh
Hair colour	light brown
Eye colour	grey
Previous Occupation	Miner for 11 years
Address	35 Selbourne St, off St Annes Road, Rotherham, in 1915. Then 28 Harper St, off
	St Annes Road, Rotherham, Yorks on 8/1/1819
Parents	Mother is Ada Palmer, step-father is Joseph Palmer of 53 Abell St,Thrybergh, nr Rotherham
Marriage	to Rose Coburn, Spinster, St Stephens Church Rotherham on24th December
	1913.. Witnesses George Henry Alford and May Riley.
Siblings	Brothers William and Albert, Sister Edith
Date Enlisted	1/9/1915
Regiment	3rd York and Lancs
Rank	Private
Number	14307
Date Discharged	2/1/1918
Reason for Discharge	Gun Shot wound to right hand caused by active service.
Disabilities	Wound to fingers on right hand in action at the battle of Loos on 25 th September 1915. Fingers not lost but middle finger bone shattered and first two fingers not useable.
1915 Star Medal	Yes
Victory Medal	Yes
British War medal	Yes
Comments	Served in France 10/9/1915

Army Unit, Postings, rank and dates

Army Corp	Promotions, Postings etc.	Rank	Date
	Attested at		1/9/1914
10^th Bat. York and Lancs	Attested	Private	12/9/1914
10^th Bat. York and Lancs	Appointed	L/Corporal	1/6/1915
10^th Bat. York and Lancs	Forfeits 10 days pay under RWC to 22/7/1915	L/Corporal	13/7/1915
10^th Bat. York and Lancs	Revested by CO	L/Corporal	23/7/1915
10^th Bat. York and Lancs	Deprived of 12 days pay by CO	Private	15/9/1915
Depot York and Lancs	Posted	Private	4/10/1915
Depot. York and Lancs	Forfeits 6 days pay RW	Private	14/2/1916
11^th Bat. York and Lancs	Posted	Private	2/3/1916
11^th Bat. York and Lancs	Forfeits 7 days pay for Absence	Private	3/6/1916
11^th Bat. York and Lancs	Forfeits 15 days pay for Absence	Private	18/7/1916
11^th Bat. York and Lancs	Awarded 15 day FP No 2 by CO	Private	18/7/1916
W	Transferred as long as it is necessary to keep him in employment at Silverwood Colliery, Thryberg, nr Rotherham	Private	20/9?/1916
	? to the Colours (unreadable ) dated 28/5/1917	Private
3^rd Bat. York and Lancs	Forfeits 8 days pay by RW	Private	8/10/1917
3^rd Bat. York and Lancs	Discharged, gun shot wound to right hand caused by active service.	Private	23/1/1918

A Protection Certificate (Identity card issued to soldiers on leave to prove that they were on Leave and not desserting) was issued on 21/1/1919, for 28 days furlough.

Location, dates and duration of service

Place	Date from	Date to	Years	Days
Home	2/9/1914	9/9/1915	1	8
France	10/9/1915	3/10/1915		24
Home	4/10/1915	19/11/1916	1	47
Reserve	20/11/1916	22/5/1917		184
Home	23/5/1917	23/1/1918		247
		Minus		184*
		Total	2	279

The reduction of time of service was 4 x the number of days that he had pay deducted or was in trouble. This was 46 days. Which x 4 = 184 days.

Frederick was only in France for 24 days. In that time time he lost the use of his fingers, and seems to have been determined to opt out of Army life, but the Army were equally determined that he should stay a soldier.

A letter from the Colliery Manager at Silverwood Colliery was sent to the Army Authorities (the wording in bold/italics is a transcription of the hand writing):

To the Commanding Officer
No 5 Ward, Central Hospital,
Whittington Barracks
Staffs. 2^nd November 1916.

Dear Sir,

Re Private F. Burgar, 14307, Y and L Regt.

I understand that the above is anxious to return to his previous occupation as a miner. He has been placed in Category C2, which I understand indicates “Home Service”. If this is so, and you can see your way clear to set him at liberty, I shall be pleased to I will find him employment similar to what he occupied prior to enlistment.

I may say for your information that this man was employed as a miner at this colliery prior to enlistment.

Yours faithfully,

(can not read signature)

Manager

Presumably the hospital authorities had no power to release him from active service, so a second letter was sent as follows:

To the Commanding Officer
“E” Company
7 Training Res? Batt?
No 3 Lines
Rugeley? Staffs. 10^th November 1916.

Dear Sirs,

Re Private F. Burgar, 14307, No 5 Ward, Central Hospital, Whittington Barracks, Staffs

I understand the above man is anxious to return to his previous occupation as a miner at Silverwood Colliery, he now being in the above hospital.

If you can see your way clear to set him at liberty, I shall be pleased to I will find him employment similar to what he occupied prior to enlistment.

Yours faithfully

Manager

Pencilled over this letter are the words

Category C2
Attached
Class W
Discharged from hospital 14/11/16

Probably these letters did not have the desired effect. Frederick was transferred to the Army Reserves, Class W, on the 20/11/1916.

Being very persistent Frederick, Frederick fills in a form (below). Presumably he had written to say he was unfit for service. Frederick has written (bold italics) :

29^th March 1917.

1. Were you suffering from a disability when you were transferred to the Class W of the reserves. Yes

If so, what is the nature of the disability?

Gun S Wound. First two fingers of Right Hand.

Fingers are not off but bullet has passed through and destroyed the Guiders, also bone of middle finger.

Am unable to keep regularly as my fingers trouble me when I have been pulling with that hand or trying to use them. Also suffer from ill health.

2. If you were suffering from a disability when you were transferred to the Class W of the Reserves, do you claim that it was done by military service? Yes

If so, give your reasons.

Wounds were received in action at Loos on the 25^th September 1915. My state of health was alright before I joined the Army.

Reservists Signature: Frederick Burgar

Being ever persistent, Frederick follows this up with a letter.

No 28 Harper St
Off St Anns Road,
Rotherham

16^th April 1916

Dear Sirs,

In reply to your letter of the 13 inst regarding me and my transfer to the Reserves Class W. I wish to say I have been found some light suitable employment at the colliery where I work and am managing quite alright. My wounds will remain as my two fingers are quite useless. I am writing with my left hand which I have learnt to use since I was wounded. ??? as my category is C2 I wish for a further Medical Examination as I just manage to do my work.

I remain yours respectfully,

Frederick Burgar.

However the Army seem determined to keep him.

A Memo states

No 14307 F. Burgar

To the Officer

Sir,

For ? of your instructions please. This man has been issued with DUB? to join the 3^rd Battalion ? at Sunderland on the 11^th June 1917. (Category ? Reserve W)

Signed AC

{Someone in a different handwriting has scrawled at an angle the words}

The WO instruction must be complied with.

It is not clear who this is being sent to but the following memos suggest what the above is about.

Memo

From Infantry Records

To the CO of the 3^rd Battalion York and Lancs Regiment, Sunderland 14^th June 1917

Please state if the men below have joined the Battalion under your command for Reserve W; also date of joining

No 14307 Pte F. Burgar.

Memo

To The Officer in charge of Infantry Records at York is: 16^th June 1917

No 14307 F. Burgar

This man reported here on the 11^th inst is taken on the strength of the Battalion under my command on the 12^th June 1916 please.

(Three other men were included but only Frederick is shown here).

Army form W 3494 concerns details about personnel who are to be discharged (but to remain in the Reserves). This is completed by Frederick and sent back to the Army.

Form W 3494

Frederick Burgar, 14307, Private of the 3^rd Yorks and Lancs, a miner for 11 years,

and at Silverwood Colliery. Nr Rotherham for 2 years prior to the war, now wants to work at the colliery in Rotherham.

Have you been employed while you have been with the colours? No

Signed Pte F. Burgar 30/11/17

A Notification by A Medical Board states in Summary that:

Frederick Burgar, 14307, Private, of the 3^rd Bat. Of the York and Lancs Regiment, living at 28 Harper St, Rotherham, has this day (2/1/1918) been discharged.

So at last Frederick has been discharged from the Army.

But is he happy with this? Another letter is soon on its way to the Army.

From Mr F. Burgar
No 28 Harper St
Off St Anns Road,
Rotherham

5^th March 1918

Dear Sir,

Have made one application for my silver badge. But having no receipt to my letter I am writing again for my letter might be mislaid. Was discharged on 23^rd(I think that this should be the 2nd) January at Ripon until the 4^th of January when I was sent hom pending discharge from York which I got about a fortnight after. Please look my case up and send on my badge as soon as possible and oblige.

Yours faithfully,

Mr F. Burgar, 14307, late 3^rd Y and L

No 28 Harper St
Off St Anns Road,
Rotherham

A Silver Badge was awarded to Army personnel who were discharged due to wounds or sickness.

Finally, On the 8^th January 1919 Frederick Burgar returns Army Form 3456.

8^th January 1919.

Having been transferred to Class W Army Reserve on the 20^th November 1918

I beg to report that my address will in future be as follows:

No 28 Harpur Street, off St Anns Road, Rotherham.

Signature Burgar F

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