DANIEL BURGES VC

A MEMORIAL PLAQUE COMMEMORATING LIEUTENANT COLONEL DANIEL BURGES VC DSO HAS BEEN ERECTED IN ARNO'S VALE CEMETERY, BRISTOL, WHERE HE WAS CREMATED
Tuesday, 24 October 2006

A ceremony was held on Tuesday, 24th October 2006, in Arno's Vale Cemetery, Bristol, to commemorate Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Burges VC, DSO, of the Gloucestershire Regiment, who commanded the 7th Bn, South Wales Borderers at the time of his Victoria Cross action in the Balkans in 1918.

Following his death in 1946 Daniel Burges was cremated in Arno's Vale Crematorium but no memorial was erected in the cemetery to recognise this gallant soldier. This was rectified on Tuesday by local historian Les Turner who earlier had set out to rectify this lack of recognition by starting a project to raise the necessary funds to manufacturer a fitting memorial stone to commemorate Lieutenant Colonel Burges.

The stone was unveiled by Les Turner, Project Coordinator, and Richard Smith, of the Arno's Vale Cemetery Trust, who will be caring for the memorial plaque. During 2007 there are plans to demolished a cemetery chapel, built in the 1950s, and in its place will be constructed a walled Garden of Remembrance where Daniel Burges' memorial stone will be placed in a prominent position.

Attending the ceremony were members of the Burges family, representatives of the Gloucestershire Regiment, The South Wales Borderers, and the Royal British Legion, Bristol Branch. Other friends and supporters of Arno's Vale Cemetery turned up along with representatives from the press and media.

For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 14 December 1918 ], Jumeaux, The Balkans, 18 September 1918, Major ( Temperorary Lieutenant Colonel ) Daniel Burges, The Gloucestershire Regiment, comd 7th Bn, South Wales Borderers

For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty in the operations at Jumeaux ( Balkans ) on the 18th September 1918. His valuable reconnaissance of the enemy first line trenches enabled him to bring his battalion without casualties to the assembly point, and from thence he maintained direction with great skill, though every known landmark was completely obscured by smoke and dust.
When still some distance from his objective the battalion came under severe machine-gun fire which caused many casualties among company leaders. Lt.-Col. Burges, though himself wounded, quite regardless of his own safety, kept moving to and fro through his command, encouraging his men and assisting them to maintain formation and direction. Finally, as they neared the enemy’s position, he led them forward through a decimating fire until he was hit again twice and fell unconscious. His coolness and personal courage were most marked throughout and afforded a magnificent example to all ranks.

Daniel Burges was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 21st December 1918.

Created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )

[ London Gazette, 3 June 1918 ], Major ( T / Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Burges, The Gloucestershire Regiment, comd 7th Bn, South Wales Borderers

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday, to approve of the undermentioned rewards for distinguished service in connection with military operations in Salonika.

Following the end of the war Burges held an appointment at the War Office as Inspector of Quartermaster-General's services, he became Commandant of the Military Detention Barracks at Cologne, and later held a similar appointment at Colchester. In 1923 he went on retired pay and shortly afterwards was made Resident Governer and Major of the Tower of London. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Burges died at his home in Bristol on 24th October 1946, aged 73, and was cremated at Arno's Vale Crematorium.

tHE medal entitlement of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Burges - The Gloucestershire Regiment,
comd 7th Bn, South Wales Borderers

Victoria Cross

Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )

Queen's South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 )