Fallen Soldiers
Richard BURROWS
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Regiment
Rank / Number
Date of Birth
Date of Death
Grave / Memorial
Rainhill remembers on . . .
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Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves
(Hood Battalion) Able Seaman / R/4682
16th August 1895
24th March 1918 aged 22
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Richard Burrows was born in Ratcliffe Cottages, Rainhill on 16th August 1895 to William and Elizabeth Burrows. He was baptized in St Ann’s Church, Rainhill on 1st March 1896. His father was a coal miner and on the 1911 Census Richard is listed as a 15 year old plumber.
He enlisted 4th July 1917 and was drafted in October to BEF. In November, he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves as an Able Seaman and was part of the Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division.
The Royal Naval Division had been formed in 1914 from naval forces when warships were fully crewed. The tradition of naval personnel serving on land had long been established and a shortfall of infantry divisions in the army led to the formation of the RND. Personnel from RNR and others assembled at Crystal Palace to form RND and by 1916 189th Brigade was made up of Drake, Hood, Nelson and Hawke Battalions.
In 1918, Hood Battalion was active along the Hindenberg Line. Hood Battalion were known as “Steadies” with a cap badge of a bird and anchor. Between 19th November and 2nd December 1917 Robert suffered from Pyrexia of unknown origin, rejoining his Battalion on 25th January 1918
His Official Number Port Division was R/4682 and his date of death is given as 24th March 1918. He was listed “as missing presumed dead” on 24th March 1918, aged 22. His body was never found and he is remembered in
Faubourg-d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras on the Memorial to the Fallen.
His name is also inscribed on the family gravestone in St Ann’s churchyard.
Inscription reads:
A.B.S. Richard Burrows
Hood Batt. R.N.D.
Killed in France, March 24th 1918
Aged 22 years
A.B.S. Richard Burrows
Hood Batt. R.N.D.
Killed in France, March 24th 1918
Aged 22 years