Cpl Alfred Edward Bertram Burgess, 204386, 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment, died in a dressing station on August 1st*, 1917, from wounds sustained while serving in a trench in Flanders.

A letter from his Captain to parents Edward and Elizabeth Clara Burgess in Luton said their son had been badly wounded in the trench and died of wounds in the dressing station. He had been conscious for only a few minutes after a shell burst and he passed away despite all being done for him that could be. [*The letter indicated that death had occurred on July 31st].

Alfred Burgess had enlisted in the 3/5th Bedfordshire Regiment (6390) in February 1916 and was stationed at Halton for a considerable time. For 11 months he was musketry instructor, having pass first class in the Divisional Musketry School at Hythe. He went to France in June 1917 and was transferred to the East Surrey Regiment.

Before enlistment, Alfred assisted his father in the management of the bleaching and dyeing business of Hart, Baxter & Co, New Bedford Road, in which Mr Burgess Snr was a partner. The family, including daughter Mabel Constance, lived at Wessenden, New Bedford Road, Luton.

Alfred, who may have been known as Bert, was also secretary of the Baptist Sunday school at Stopsley and a local preacher.