Christopher Denholm Burns

Forename(s):
Christopher Denholm

Surname:
Burns

Initial(s):
C D

Service Number:
203088

Rank:
Lance-Corporal

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/4th Battalion Territorial Force

Died:
26/10/1917

Buried:
Tyne Cot Memorial (Tyne Cot Cemetery)

Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.

Background:
Born about 1884, at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, the son of Benjamin Burns (b. about 1841; at Berwick; a Shoemaker & Bootmaker), by his late wife, Christina (b. about 1845; in Scotland; d. between the 1891 & 1901 Censuses).

Seven children were recorded on the 1891 Census. In addition to Burns, they were John (b. about 1870; a Letter Carrier); Benjamin (b. about 1872; a Baker); William Denholm (b. about 1873; a Hairdresser); Isabella (b. about 1878; still at school); Thomas H. (b. about 1881; who was a Hairdresser by 1901); & Ann Denholm (Annie; b. about 1883). All were born at Berwick.

By 1901, Burns's father was a widower. Only Burns, Thomas H. & Annie lived with their father, at 13, Hide Hill, Berwick.

By 1911, Burns was living with his older brother, William, & his wife, Jessie Jackson (Burns), their two daughters, Annie & Jessie, his sister, Annie, a niece, Isabella, & a visitor, Arthur Bowie (24; b. at Wooler; a Plumber).

Burns's occupation at that time was as a Plumber. He was single.

The UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 (available via Ancestry.co.uk) records Burns' sister & Grantee as Annie. Credits amounting to £18-1s-7d were paid on 11 December 1911, followed by a War Gratuity of £7-0s-0d on 21 February 1920.

Local Memorial:
Spittal, Organ, Pulpit & Memorial Plaque originally in St. Aidan's English Presbyterian Church, Berwick, now in St. Paul's United Reformed Church, Spittal (Source: newmp.org.uk)