Main CPGW Record
Surname: BURLEY
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Islington, Middlesex
Service No: 13655
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1915-09-30
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 157.
CWGC Cemetery: WALMER (ST. MARY) OLD CHURCHYARD
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BURNSALL, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: HEBDEN, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: LINTON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Burley was the son of George and Elizabeth Burley, née Mocock. Both parents were born at London. Elizabeth died in 1898. William's brother, Acting Sergeant George Frederick Burley, L/14884, 2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 6 June 1915.
1901 Islington, London Census: Workhouse Schools, Andover Row, Hornsey Road - Frederick [sic] William Burley, aged 6 years, born Islington, London. Inmate. [William's brother, Alfred, aged 13 years, was also an Inmate.]
1911 Burnsall, Yorkshire Census: Burnsall Rectory - William Burley, aged 15 years, born London. [William was employed by William James Stavert, Clerk in Holy Orders.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William Burley, 13655, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 26.8.15. Died 13[sic].9.15. Correspondence: Sister - Cambridge Cottage, York Road, Lower Walmer, Deal.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Burley, 13655, 10th W. Rid. R. Died 30.9.15.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Burley, 13655, 10/W. Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 30.9.15 1/Eastern Gen. Hos. Cambridge (wounds). To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister - Elizabeth Louisa Chase. £5 1s. 5d. Sister - Ellen Price. £0 15s. 9d. Sister - Louisa Rogers. £0 15s. 9d. Sister - Rose Newman. £0 15s. 8d. Sister - Louisa Burley. £0 15s. 8d. Sister - Mrs Lily Gadsby. £0 15s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) for William not found.
CWGC 'Headstone Documents - Headstone Schedules (Originals)' name William's next of kin as Mr. A. Burley, Owen's Girls School, Owen's Row, London E.C.1.
William is commemorated on the Victoria Hospital: Deal, Walmer & District War Memorial.
A short biography of William is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BURLEY, W., West Riding Regiment, was in the service of the Rector of Burnsall for seven years, died of wounds, 1915.
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Private William BURLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
The Upper Wharfedale Co., West Riding Regiment
Back row (l-r): T.S. Worsley, R. Harper, W. Oldfield, A. Stubbs, Walter Limmer, W.P. Inman. Front row (l-r): W. Eley, William Burley, C.J. Kelly, Benjamin Beaumont
Our Wharfedale Lads
Recruits to the 'A' Coy 10th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) at Grassington Station, September 21st 1914. Front row left-right: 1 - Benjamin Beaumont, 5 - William Burley, 8 - William Limmer. Back row left-right: 8 - Tom Swales
Courtesy of Keith Taylor ('Swaledale and Wharfedale Remembered')
Upper Wharfedale Recruits
Upper Wharfedale Recruits leaving Grassington Station, September 21st 1914. Front row, kneeling, left-right: 1 - ?Arthur Stubbs, 2 - William Burley, 3 - Benjamin Beaumont (his sister Jenny is standing at the far right of the photograph), 4 - R. Harper, 5 - C.J. Kelly. Second row, left-right: 1 - W. Eley, 2 - W. Oldfield, 3 - W.P. Inman, 4 - Walter Limmer, 7 - T.S. Worsley, 8 - T. Darwin. Third row, left-right: 4 - Tom Swales
Courtesy of Keith Taylor (‘Swaledale and Wharfedale Remembered’)
Unknown platoon of 'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), Aldershot, 1914
Photograph sent home to his parents at Bolton by Bowland by Pte Henry (Harry) Valance Killeen (13738). Henry is standing, with his hands behind his back, 11th from right. His brother, Pte Reginald Victor Whiteley Killeen (q.v.), was killed in action on the 25 January 1916
Courtesy of Paula Ann Payne (née Bailey), Barnoldswick
'A' Company, 10th (Service) Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), Bramshott, August, 1915
Courtesy of Bernard Ideson
Names of identified officers and other ranks on above photograph
Walmer (St. Mary) Old Churchyard
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Dr. Bill Smith
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
01 October 1915
GRASSINGTON - Wounded Grassington Soldiers
News has been received of two of the recruits from the Grassington neighbourhood having been wounded at the Front in France, viz., Privates A. Stubbs, of Bridge End, the son of Mr. H. Stubbs, one of the best known drivers for Mr. C. Chapman and Co. Ltd., and Willie Burley, of Skirethorns, who was an employee at Mr. John Delaney's Quarries, but whose only relative is a sister. Pte. A. Stubbs, of the 10th Duke of Wellington's Regiment, had only been at the Front about a fortnight. A letter was received on Saturday last from Pte. W. Oldfield (another Grassington recruit) saying that Arthur had got wounded that (Wednesday) morning. He had been hit in the leg with shrapnel, and Willie Burley had been wounded an hour before. They were conveyed to hospital in the same ambulance. Following this another has arrived, dated Friday the 24th, from Pte. H. Holdsworth, No. 19503, B. Section, 69th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., to say that young Stubbs was getting on very well and bearing his pain with fortitude and endurance, and further, that his chums had spoken about his brave manner and how cheerful he was. He has been removed from the Field Hospital, but it is hoped that medical skill will save his shattered limb from amputation. Mr. H. Stubbs has a second son in the Army, of whom nothing has been heard for several weeks. Of Willie Burley's progress there is also no information.
08 October 1915
GRASSINGTON ROLL OF HONOUR
Information is to hand that Private Willie Burley, of Skirethorns, who was wounded on the same day as Private A. Stubbs, as stated in last week's issue, has succumbed. The young hero was well-known and respected in the district, and much public regret has been expressed at his early death. The flag at the maypole, which is utilised as the flag-staff, was immediately put at half-mast on receipt of the news.
22 October 1915
BURNSALL SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS
Information has been received by the Rev. W. J. Stavert, rector of Burnsall, that Private W. Burley, of the 10th West Riding Regiment, has died in hospital at Cambridge from wounds received in action. Private Burley was brought to Burnsall several years ago by the Rector, in whose service he continued until he left to work in a quarry at Threshfield. He enlisted from the parish of Grassington, and the news will be received with genuine regret by those who knew him. The deceased was a member of the Golden Fleece Lodge of Oddfellows, Appletreewick. Deceased had a brother in the Army, and an unmarried sister who lives at Deal.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
01 October 1915
Wounded Grassington Soldiers
News has been received of two of the recruits from the Grassington neighbourhood having been wounded at the Front in France, viz., Privates A. Stubbs, of Bridge End, son of Mr. H. Stubbs, one of the best-known drivers for Messrs. Chapman and Co. Ltd., and Willie Burley, of Skirethorns, who was employed at Mr. John Delaney's quarries, and whose only relative is a sister. Private Stubbs, of the 10th Duke of Wellington's Regiment, had only been at the Front about a fortnight. A letter was received on Saturday last from Private W. Oldfield (another Grassington soldier recruit) saying that Arthur had got wounded that (Wednesday) morning. He had been hit in the leg with shrapnel, and Willie Burley had been wounded an hour before. They were conveyed to hospital in the same ambulance.
Following this another letter has arrived, dated Friday, the 24th, from Private H. Holdsworth, B Section, 69th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., to say that young Stubbs was getting on very well, and bearing his pain with fortitude and endurance, and further, that his chums had spoken about his brave manner and how cheerful he was. He has been removed from the Field Hospital and it is hoped that medical skill will save his shattered limb from amputation. Mr. H. Stubbs, has a second son in the Army, of whom nothing has been heard for several weeks. Of Willie Burley's progress there is also no information.
08 October 1915
Death of a Grassington Soldier
Information is to hand that Pte. Willie Burley, of Skirethorns, who was wounded on the same day as Pte. A. Stubbs, as stated in last week's issue, has succumbed. Burley was well-known and respected in the district, and much regret has been expressed at his early death. The flag at the Maypole, which is utilised as the flag-staff, was put at half-mast immediately on receipt of the news.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN'S ROLL OF HONOUR - BURNSALL
Pte. W. Burley, 10th West Riding Regiment, who was in the service of the Rector of Burnsall for seven years, and before his enlistment worked in a quarry at Threshfield. He died of wounds.
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