Private John Burgon

Private John Burgon, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards. He was killed in action in France on 25th September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, Somme, France. The Battalion took its Objectives in the attack towards Les Boeufs and dug in at a sunken road. Here they were subjected to a very heavy artillery bombardment which caused serious casualties. 3 Officers and 40 Other Ranks were killed and 1 Officer and 199 Other Ranks were wounded. In addition 88 Other Ranks were posted missing. The autumnal rains turned the ground into a glutinous quagmire which made movement of men guns and machines very difficult as can be seen from the photos.