Daniel Burges
| Daniel Burges | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1 July 1873 London, England |
| Died |
24 October 1946 (aged 73) Bristol, Gloucestershire |
| Buried at | Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1893 - 1923 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Gloucestershire Regiment |
| Commands held | 7th Battalion The South Wales Borderers |
| Battles/wars |
Second Boer War First World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Croix de Guerre (France) War Cross (Greece) (2nd Class) |
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Burges VC, DSO (1 July 1873 – 24 October 1946) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Biography
Burges was educated at Winchester College. He was 45 years old, and a temporary lieutenant-colonel in The Gloucestershire Regiment commanding the 7th (S) Battalion, The South Wales Borderers, British Army, during the First World War at the Battle of Doiran when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 18 September 1918 at Jumeaux, in the Balkans, valuable reconnaissance of the enemy front line trenches enabled Lieutenant Colonel Burges to bring his battalion, without casualties, to the assembly point, but later while some distance from the objective they came under severe machine-gun fire. Although he himself was wounded the colonel continued to lead his men with skill and courage until he was hit again twice and fell unconscious. He was taken prisoner by the Bulgarians, but was abandoned in a dug-out with one of his legs shattered.[1]
In retirement Burges served as major of the Tower of London from 1 July 1923[2] to 1 July 1933.[3]
A marble plaque was unveiled at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, on 24 October 2006 (which was 60 years to the day he died) by Les Turner.[4]
References
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31067. p. 14774. 13 December 1918. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 32843. p. 4787. 10 July 1923.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33955. p. 4383. 30 June 1933.
- ↑ "Daniel Burges VC". VictoriaCross.org.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2010.