Clifford Oliver Burgess

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

163246

Unit at enlistment:

84th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Wounded:

Yes

Date of death:

July 16th, 1919

Cemetery:

Paris Cemetery, Paris, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church, St. James Anglican Church (Paris)

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Oxford

Birth city:

Princeton, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Capron Street, Paris, Ontario

Next of kin address:

Capron Street, Paris, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Cause: Phthisis Pulmonalis
Location: Ancaster, Ont

BX July 18, 1919

Private Clifford Oliver Burgess

Another bright young life to be sacrificed for the cause of right and liberty was that of Private Clifford Oliver Burgess, who passed away at the Mountain Sanatorium in Hamilton early yesterday morning in his 26th year. Deceased, who was the son of Mrs. Margaret Burgess of Capron Street, was born in Princeton, coming to Paris as a lad of 12 years, where he grew to manhood and has gained the confidence and respect of the entire community. In August, 1915, he enlisted with the 84th Battalion, going overseas with that unit, where he was transferred into the 75th, with which he went to France. In November, 1916, at the battle of the Somme, he was very severely wounded, which resulted in the amputation of the right leg and the left arm, as well as two toes off the left foot. After being in different hospitals in England he was invalided home in November, 1917. He remained at home one month, when he was sent to the Davisville Orthopedic Military Hospital in Toronto for treatment, where he remained until January of this year, when he was removed to the sanatorium at Hamilton. Throughout his long-sufferings he was never heard to complain, and was always bright and cheerful even in his last month’s being concerned about a fellow sufferer in the San. In October, 1915 he was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Lefler, who survives, together with an infant daughter. Also his mother and two sisters, Mrs. Mackie of Paris Junction and Mrs. Paget of Magnetawan, to whom the sympathy of the town will be extended in their sorrow.

The funeral, which is in charge of the G.W.V.A., will be military in character, and will take place Friday afternoon to St. James church, of which deceased was a member, where service will be held at 2.30, interment being made in the soldiers’ plot in Paris cemetery.

In connection with the above funeral the G.W.V.A. request that all veterans parade at their rooms on Friday afternoon at 1.45. They also extend an invitation to the Brantford veterans to join them.

BX July 21, 1919

Private C.O. Burgess

The funeral of the late Private Clifford Burgess took place from his late residence, Ball Street, on Friday afternoon to the St. James Church, and hence to Paris Cemetery. Rev. R.J. Seton Adamson, read the burial service. The funeral was in charge of the Great War Veterans, who turned out in large numbers to pay a last tribute of respect to their deceased comrade, the parade being in charge of Sergt. Chris Parker. The pallbearers were comrades: Joseph Sugrue, Earl Hunsburger, Charles Warden, William Ball, Robert Mullinder and Frank Brown. After the remains had been lowered to the grave, the firing party, under Sergeant Percy Bridges, fired a volley, while Bugler George Porter, sounded the Last Post.

BX December 11, 1916

Private C. Burgess’ Leg Amputated – Paris Man with 84th Under Operation for Gas Gangrene

PARIS, Dec. 11 – Mrs. Burgess, Capron Street, has received the sad intelligence that her husband, Pte. Clifford Burgess, now of the 75th Battalion, had his right leg amputated, owing to his terrible suffering from gas gangrene. Private Burgess went overseas with the 84th Battalion.

BX December 17, 1917

Veteran Home

Private Clifford Burgess returned home last week after two years spent at the front. He was badly wounded in the battle of the Somme, as a result of which he lost his left arm and right leg, and also two toes of his left foot. He enlisted in and went overseas with the 84th Battalion, but was later transferred to the 75th Battalion, with which he was connected when wounded. Private Burgess is feeling in the best of spirits, and with a smile said it might have been worse. He has nothing but praise to say of the treatment he received at various hospitals in which he was confined.