887847 Gunner George William BURGE, MM, RA

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Richard Milton, Jan 14, 2025.

  1. Richard Milton

    Richard Milton New Member

    Hi,
    I am researching this information for a friend.

    I'm looking for information regarding Gunner George William Burge. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1943. I have a copy of the recommendation. However, the story told by George to my friend does not match the record. George's version of events seem far more involved.

    He was in the 4th India Brigade, 10 Division, 1st Field Regiment.
    A photo shows him wearing Essex Yeomanry and Royal Artillery badges.
    I'm after any advice as to try and understand his military service and award

    Kind regards
    Richard Milton
     
  2. David Woods

    David Woods Active Member

    Hello Richard,
    Usual advice is to obtain his service record.

    The following information may help members to help you.

    887847 Gnr. George William Burge
    Enlisted 1938. 104 Royal Horse Artillery (Essex Yeomanry) (T.A.)

    1938 Royal Artillery attestations .jpg
    104 (Essex Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, Tobruk, June 1941.

    Wounded 24.06.1941, Syria.

    gbm_wo417_027_0038.jpg
    Transferred to 52 Field Battery, 1st Field Regiment, R.A. (Gnr. Dvr. Op.)

    Awarded M.M. London Gazette Date 19.08.1943

    Wounded 21.02.1944, Italy

    gbm_wo417_072_0568.jpg

    Hope this information proves useful.
     

    Attached Files:

    Wobbler, Owen, dbf and 3 others like this.
  3. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Welcome aboard.

    The RA became a corps with a million plus members, so individuals rarely appear in online research - unless they got a medal, wounded and died.

    I usually check whether a subject’s name or number have appeared here before. He has not appeared, either by name or number.

    We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait.

    If you search online with his unit(s) if known or later, so for example: "XXth Anti-Tank Regiment" site:ww2talk.com that may identify threads mentioning them, at a glance without adding much. If you drop the 'th' more may be found. There area number of threads here id'd by: "1st Field Regiment" site:ww2talk.com I note a FOO Major Surridge appears.

    Searching the National Archives for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals soldiers. They do give context and details of activity.

    Some research tips next via PM and good luck.

    The "go to" RA reference site (run by a member) provides a starting point and summary.

    See: 104 Royal Horse Artillery (Essex Yeomanry) (TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 and: 1 Field Regiment RA - The Royal Artillery 1939-45
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2025
    Wobbler likes this.
  4. Richard Milton

    Richard Milton New Member


    Hi David

    Wow!
    That is super fast, thank you so much

    Kind regards
    Richard
     
    Wobbler likes this.
  5. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Richard.

    You have his formation slightly wrong. 1 Field Regiment RA were one the artillery units that supported 4 Indian Division who, at the time of writing the citation for his Military Medal, were in X (British) Corps. Wherever 4 Indian Division went, so did 1 Field Regiment RA.

    1 Field Regiment directly supported 5 Indian Brigade who, at the time, was made up of 1/4 Essex Regiment, 4/6 Rajputana Rifles and 1/9 Gurkha Rifles. 1 Field Regiment RA had three gun batteries, one of which was 52 Battery.

    52 Battery had a Gun Line but it also provided a number of artillery parties - led by a Captain Forward Observation Officer, who controlled the guns in support of the infantry - in this case the group were supporting a Rifle Company of 4/6 Rajputana Rifles.

    He was wounded on 21 Feb 44 which was right in the middle of the Second Battle of Cassino. At the time, 4/6 Rajputana Rifles were up in the area of Snakeshead Ridge overlooking the recently bombed Benedictine monastery. If he was still part of an artillery group supporting 4/6 Rajputana Rifles - 52 Battery still had that job, then he would have been in the area of Snakeshead Ridge too. It was a truly grim place to be in Feb 44.

    His extraction for treatment would have been an equally grim journey down the mountain to the village of Caira.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  6. Richard Milton

    Richard Milton New Member

    Thanks Frank. An impressive knowledge of events.
     
  7. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Richard.

    I am fascinated by the Italian Campaign.

    Regards

    Frank
     

Share This Page