Daniel BURGES VC. DSO Lieutenant Colonel.
Born 1st July 1873 at 36 Bernard Street, Bloomsbury, London according to his birth certificate. He was living with his parents, Daniel Travers and Alice Sarah Burges, at (1881) of 3 Leigh Road, Clifton, Bristol In 1891 he was pupil at St Mary's College, Winchester. On the 7th December 1899 he married Nita Fortiscue at Aldershot Parish Church. He was aged 26 and a Lieutenant with the 2nd Gloucestershire Regiment, living at Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot, father Daniel Travers Burges. Nita, was aged 28, spinster, of St Helier, Jersey, Father, Edmund, late Captain, Rifle Brigade.
In 1911 his mother was now a widow and she was living at Talbots End House, Cromhall, Gloucestershire. His father died 15th September 1900. He was living with his wife at 12 Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton, Bristol, His mother died on the 7th June 1915, home address was The Grove, Clevedon, Somerset. He, nor his wife could be found in the 1901 and 1911 census. He would have been in 1901, fighting in the Boer War. He died at his home in Bristol on the 24th October 1946 and his ashes are interred at Arnos Vale, Cemetery, Bristol. His wife Nita, (correct name was Katherine Blanche), of the King's House, Tower of London died on the 29th January 1931. Her effects went to her husband, Dan Burges, Lieutenant Colonel, H.M.Forces.
He joined the Glosters in 1893, served in the Boer War with the 2nd Battalion. At the outbreak of the Great War he was in command of the 3rd (Reserve) Gloucestershire Regiment at Horfield Barracks, Bristol. At Flanders he was in command of the 2nd Gloucestershire Regiment until he was wounded in the second battle of Ypres. During a German attack of Sanctuary Wood in the Ypres Sailent in May 1915. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December 1917, commanded the 7th South Wales Borderers in Macedonia from April 1917. He was awarded the DSO and VC. The Victoria Cross was for action at Jumeaux on the 18th September 1918. He was shot several time and his injuries ended up with the loss of a leg. On the outbreak of WW2 he was Assistant Recruiting Officer in Bristol.
London Gazette dated 13th December 1918. (VC Citation)
For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and devotion to duty in the operations at Jumeaux (Balkans)on the 18th September 1918. His valuable reconnaissance of the enemy first line trenches enabled him to bring his battalion without casualties to the assembly point,and from thence he maintained direction with great skill, though every known landmark was completely obscured by smoke and dust. When still some distance from its objective the battalion came under severe machine-gun fire which caused many casualties amongst company leaders. Lt-Col. Burges, though himself wounded, quite regardless of his own safety, kept moving to and fro through his command, encouraging his men and assisting them to maintain formation and direction. Finally, as they neared the enemy's position, he led them forward through a decimating fire until he was again hit twice and fell unconscious. His coolness and personal courage were most marked throughout and afforded a magnificent example to all ranks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Burges
http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbburges.htm
http://glosters.tripod.com/VC.htm
