| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Frederick was born in Dublin in 1893, the second of four sons born to Frederick Burch and his wife, Elizabeth Catherine Gasking. His father was a regular soldier serving with the 1st Royal Dragoons. His younger brother, Gerald, was also born in Dublin and his elder brother, Sydney, was born in York. In 1901, while his father was serving overseas, Frederick lived with his mother, and brothers at the home of his aunt Margaret E Burch, in Ipswich. The three brothers were educated at Framlingham College from 1903 to 1909, and during this time their youngest brother, Philip, was born in 1906 in Lucknow, India. In 1911 Frederick’s parents and his three brothers were living at 3 Newbegin, Beverley. Their father was by this time a retired British Officer employed as Registration Officer for a Political Association
Frederick mobilised in 1914 with York Troop, East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry and was commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment. He served on the Western Front, Egypt and India. He was awarded the MC in 1916 and his citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry in action. He visited all the strong points established in the enemy’s lines and assisted in their consolidation. Later, he assumed command and carried out his work with great courage and determination.”
He remained in the army after the end of the war and served in various roles in India. In 1929 he married Marigold Allen and they had two children. At the start of the Second World War he was assistant Military Secretary to Commander-in-Chief, India, and by 1942 had been promoted to Major General. He was responsible for organising India’s Victory Celebrations in New Delhi in 1946 and was awarded CSI (Companion, Order of the Star of India). He retired from the Army in Oct 1949 and became Area Controller, Civil Defence, North East Essex from 1950-1964. Frederick died in Dedham, Essex, on 20 December 1977 at the age of 85
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |