Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Wounds at No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne.
BX May 3, 1915
Brantford Man Wound is Fatal – Private Burkhard Succumbed
In this morning’s announcement from Ottawa, that Private Frank Burkhard, who left this city with the first contingent of Dufferin Rifles, has died of his wounds. In the casualty lists published to date many Brantford and Brant County men have appeared among the wounded, but Pte. Burkhard is the first to be reported killed, and is consequently the first local volunteer to give up his life in defense of his empire in the recent fighting around Ypres.
Private Burkhard at the time of his enlistment resided at 82 Grey Street, boarding with Mrs. Keighley, who has since removed to 147 Clarence Street. His next of kin was given in the casualty list as living in Glossop, England, where his mother and his wife now reside, and where Private Burkhard lived in his younger days, before coming to this city. His wife, whom he married during short leave for the Christmas holidays from Salisbury Plain, intended to come to Canada to make a home for her husband on his return from the war, according to a letter recently received by Mrs. Keighley, her sister.
Before coming to Brantford, Private Burkhard served for a number of years with the 4th Cheshires, and had been a member of the 38th Dufferin Rifles for about three years at the outbreak of hostilities. With the call to arms, he was among the first to respond and offer his services and even sacrifice his life for his country. He was 23 years of age and for ten months had been employed as a conductor on the Grand Valley radial, running between Brantford and Galt.
BX May 12, 1915
The following letter, received by Mrs. Keighley, Clarence Street, from Mrs. Frank Burkhard, whose husband was killed in the fighting at Ypres, gives evidence of the pangs of suffering which the dear ones of those who have gone to the front to sacrifice their lives for their country, are called upon to suffer.
21 John St., Hyde, Cheshire.
Dear Alice,
I write these few lines to tell you of the sad, sad death of my dear Frank, who died on Tuesday, 27th at 12 o’clock. He was admitted to the hospital only on the Monday with a bad wound in his leg. The nurse promised him to write me for home on Tuesday night, but she says she did not think it would be to tell me of his death, but he did not live to hear what he would have told her to write to me. She says he did want to get well for my sake, as we had only been married a short time. He was always longing for the time when he would be coming home and we should both be in Canada with our little child but now he is only to be the angel of my dreams. He has died a hero, fighting for his King and Country, and I will honor and respect him now that he rests in peace. He was a good lad, and he loved me I know, with all his heart. If he only could have lived to see my baby, I would have been more consoled, but our happiness was not to be.
He is locked in my heart now, although we cannot see him. Someday I hope we shall be united in that Eternity where there is never any parting. God bless him Alice, and I hope you will try and console me in my hour of need, as I need every one now, and God be with us till we meet again. His family is stricken with grief with losing him in so short a time. I hope God spares Bill for your sake and the kiddies. Write straight back Alice, as I have nothing much to say. All I can think of is that I have lost the dearest one of all.
From your sister,
Annie.
BX May 20, 1915
Private Frank Burkhard – Reported to have been wounded, but official word has been received from Ottawa that he has since died on the field of battle.
