The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Corporal W E Norburn

Photograph by "YJ"

Corporal William Ernest NORBURN, G/770, 6th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, death presumed on or after, 7th October 1916, age 23.

Born Chipstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, son of Harry Ernest & *Mary Ann (deceased) Norburn, of Chipstead, Sevenoaks, Kent.

*1901 December Sevenoaks Registration District, Mary Ann Norburn, died age 35.

1903 December Sevenoaks Registration District, Harry Ernest Norburn, married Christina Francis.

1911 Census - High Street, Chipstead, Sevenoaks, Kent - Harry Norburn, head, age 46, married, house painter, worker, born Seal Sevenoaks; Christina Norburn, wife, age 41, married 7 years, 1 child, still alive, born London; William Norburn, son, age 18, single, maltsters labourer, Brewery, born Chipstead, Sevenoaks; Sidney Norburn, son, age 6, born Chipstead, Sevenoaks.

Enlisted Tonbridge, Kent, age 21, height 5ft 1 inch. Formerly stoker.

Home 1st September 1914 to 31st May 1915; BEF 1st June 1915 to 7th October 1916.

1st September 1914, enlisted; 4th September 1914, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 4th September 1914, posted 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 5th March 1915, appointed unpaid Lance Corporal; 1st June 1915, posted BEF; 1st June 1915, appointed paid Lance Corporal; 18th August 1915, attached 12th Division Headquarters; 8th September 1915, rejoined Battalion; 11th September 1915, 38th Field Ambulance nasal catarrh; 11th September 1915, to Hospital; 13th September 1915, to 37 F.A.R.C.;14th September 1915, rejoined Battalion; 24th February 1916, 38 Field Ambulance, NYD, pyroxia; 25th February 1916, Casualty Clearing Centre, influenza; 28th February 1916, appointed Acting Corporal; 12th March 1916, Etaples, 12 Infantry Base Depot; 17th March 1916, rejoined Battalion; 15th April 1916, promoted Corporal; 10th August 1916, Awarded Military Medal; 7th October 1916, posted missing.

10th May 1917, War Office letter to Officer Commanding, 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment - The relatives of the above NCO, have been informed by 5494, Pte W Cook, that he was killed on the outskirts of Guedecourt Church on 7th October 1916. Kindly inform me if you can confirm this statement and also please cause the man to furnish a separate statement and forward the same duly countersigned to me.

19th May 1917, Statement from Pte Cook, 5494 as follows: "Owing to a misunderstanding concerning information I gave to Mrs Norburn, Chipstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, I William H Cook, Pte A Company, 6Bn R West Kent Regt., state that I informed Mrs Norburn on or about the 5th January 1917, that her son Cpl W Norburn, was probably killed four or five minutes walk from Guedecourt. I told her this after she had heard the same news from Sgt Buss, and after his photograph had appeared in the Kent Messenger, with the report that he was killed. I told her I did not actually see him killed, but I repeated what I had heard from others, and this on being asked by Mrs Norburn, who only lives a few hundred yards from me. I also told her that I saw Cpl Norburn a few hours before the attack, which is quite true. Once again I repeat that I never told Mrs Norburn, which she knows herself, that I saw him killed but only repeated what the papers said, when I felt absolutely sure. I certify on my honour that this statement is correct and true."

30th June 1919, Statement of Relatives - Widow, none; Children, none; Father Harry Ernest Norburn, Chipstead, Sevenoaks; Mother, Mary Ann Norburn, deceased; Brother - Robert John, age 22, 3 Albert Road, Tonbridge; Sidney Alfred, age 14, Chipstead, Sevenoaks; Sisters - Ethel Louise, age 28, Youngs? Coppice, Littlewich, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 11C, France and at St Botolph Church, Chevening, Kent.

AWARDS: MM

NOTE: Regimental History & Soldiers Died in the Great War both show Service No. as G/770; CWGC web site show it as G/1770.

London Gazette 1st January 1916.

The following despatch has been received by the Secretary of State for War from the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the British Army in France: —

SIR, General Headquarters, 30th November, 1915.

In accordance with the last paragraph of my Despatch of the 15th October, 1915, I have the honour to bring to notice the names of those whom I recommend for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,

J. D. P. FRENCH, Field-Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief, The British Army in France.

ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT (SERVICE BATTALIONS). - Norburn, No. 770 Lance-Corporal W. E.

London Gazette 21st September 1916.

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the under mentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men:

770 Cpl. W. Norburn, Royal West Kent Regiment.

This page was last updated on 24-Jan-2023.