Second Lieutenant Francis Emery Burford

1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment

Killed in action on the 4th June 1918 aged 21 years.

He is buried at the Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poporinge, West-Vlaandoren, Belgium. The headstone inscription is 'NOT DEAD BUT LIVING UNTO THEE'.

The son of Samuel Francis Burford and Clara D'Este Burford. Brother to Marjorie Clara and Roger Verte Burford and living on The Ridgeway, Rothley.

Educated at Wyggeston School and Eastbourne College, he gained an open scholarship to Caius College, Cambridge. He passed through Sandhurst and received his commission in the Leicesters in April 1917.

Named on the War Memorial, Parish Church Roll of Honour, Parish Church Triptych Roll of Honour and Roll of Honour Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys, Leicester and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Roll of Honour

The War Diary for today records;
The Battalion were in the front line that left Chateau Segard sector. Artillery constantly active on both sides during the day. Our support company's fairly heavily shelled. 2nd Lieutenant F.E.Burford killed. Shelling by enemy probably due to increased movement in the sector.
At 3.30pm Battalion Operational Order number 26 issued relative to raid to be carried out by 3 Officers and 30 other ranks of D Company at 1.15am on the 5th June with the object of obtaining identifications. Notification received from Brigade that the Battalion would be relieved by 16th battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps. Night 6th/7th June. Reconnoitring parties from the battalion arrived at intervals throughout the day. Casualties, other ranks none recorded.