Edward VII Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
10385 C. Serjt. A. E. Burrows, Royal Fusiliers.
Alfred Ernest Burrows makes his first appearance in history as a 5 year old schoolboy recorded on the 1871 Census as living with his mother, Elizabeth, who is described as a seaman's wife, a younger brother Edmund and two aunts in Basset Street, Budock, near Falmouth in Cornwall. At the time of the 1881 Census, the family was still resident in Falmouth and Alfred, now 15 years old, was apprenticed to a local draper. However, in February 1888, he attested as a private soldier in the Rifle Brigade, was given the service number 9416, and commenced his basic training. He passed his 3rd Class Certificate of Education in April 1888 and was posted to the 2nd Rifle Brigade in June 1888. Early in 1889, Alfred had his first taste of overseas service when he was sent to join the 3rd Rifle Brigade, which was stationed at Rawalpindi in India.
He seems to have made steady progress in his new career, being awarded his 1st Good Conduct Pay and passing his 2nd Class Certificate of Education in February 1890. He was appointed Acting Corporal in April 1890, promoted Corporal in January 1894, appointed Acting Sergeant in 1895 and promoted Sergeant in 1896. In March 1897, Alfred re-engaged for the Rifle Brigade at Rawalpindi, agreeing to complete 21 years service.
In the summer of 1897, the 3rd Rifle Brigade was one of the British Battalions that took part in the Tochi Expedition, whose purpose was to punish the tribesmen living in the village of Maizar and the surrounding area, who had ambushed Mr. H. A. Gee, the Political Officer for Tochi, and his army escort. It was a frustrating campaign, the soldiers having to deal more with heat, flies and disease than with enemy forces. A good description of the expedition can be found here. For his part in the campaign, Alfred Burrows was awarded the India Medal 1895 - 1902 with clasp "Punjab Frontier 1897 - 98".
Alfred Ernest Burrows makes his first appearance in history as a 5 year old schoolboy recorded on the 1871 Census as living with his mother, Elizabeth, who is described as a seaman's wife, a younger brother Edmund and two aunts in Basset Street, Budock, near Falmouth in Cornwall. At the time of the 1881 Census, the family was still resident in Falmouth and Alfred, now 15 years old, was apprenticed to a local draper. However, in February 1888, he attested as a private soldier in the Rifle Brigade, was given the service number 9416, and commenced his basic training. He passed his 3rd Class Certificate of Education in April 1888 and was posted to the 2nd Rifle Brigade in June 1888. Early in 1889, Alfred had his first taste of overseas service when he was sent to join the 3rd Rifle Brigade, which was stationed at Rawalpindi in India.
He seems to have made steady progress in his new career, being awarded his 1st Good Conduct Pay and passing his 2nd Class Certificate of Education in February 1890. He was appointed Acting Corporal in April 1890, promoted Corporal in January 1894, appointed Acting Sergeant in 1895 and promoted Sergeant in 1896. In March 1897, Alfred re-engaged for the Rifle Brigade at Rawalpindi, agreeing to complete 21 years service.
In the summer of 1897, the 3rd Rifle Brigade was one of the British Battalions that took part in the Tochi Expedition, whose purpose was to punish the tribesmen living in the village of Maizar and the surrounding area, who had ambushed Mr. H. A. Gee, the Political Officer for Tochi, and his army escort. It was a frustrating campaign, the soldiers having to deal more with heat, flies and disease than with enemy forces. A good description of the expedition can be found here. For his part in the campaign, Alfred Burrows was awarded the India Medal 1895 - 1902 with clasp "Punjab Frontier 1897 - 98".
In December 1898, Alfred was back to England and posted to the 4th Rifle Brigade. In September 1899, he qualified as a Sergeant Instructor in Musketry at the Army School of Musketry in Hythe and was later posted to the Rifle Brigade Depot. The 1901 Census, taken on March 31st, records Alfred as 36 years old, still single and working as a hospital attendant in the military hospital at Alverstoke, Gosport.
In October 1901, Alfred joined the 5th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and on the 18th December he married Jane Annie Turner. Alfred had little time to enjoy married life, however, as he was soon sent abroad again, this time to serve in the South African War, where British and Imperial forces were engaged in a long and bitter struggle with the Boers. He stayed in South Africa for 10 months, earning entitlement to a Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State" and "South Africa 1902".
In October 1901, Alfred joined the 5th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and on the 18th December he married Jane Annie Turner. Alfred had little time to enjoy married life, however, as he was soon sent abroad again, this time to serve in the South African War, where British and Imperial forces were engaged in a long and bitter struggle with the Boers. He stayed in South Africa for 10 months, earning entitlement to a Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps for "Cape Colony", "Orange Free State" and "South Africa 1902".
Back in England again, Alfred was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 10th December 1902 and five months later, on 11th May 1903, he was posted for duty to the 4th Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers as a Sergeant Instructor. Three children would be born to him and his wife over the next few years: Montague Alfred (b. 25/2/1904), Dorothy Annie (b. 5/2/1906) and Edna (b. 29/1/1907). His Long Service & Good Conduct Medal was awarded on 13th February 1906.Alfred Ernest Burrows completed his 21 years of army service in February 1909 and was discharged at Hounslow. At the time he was on the permanent staff of the 4th Battalion, City of London Regiment (TF). His Discharge Papers describe him as 42 years and 2 months in age, 5' 5" in height and with a fair complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. His conduct had been "exemplary" and it was noted that he was "a good clerk, reliable, painstaking, willing & industrious. Will make an excellent caretaker." His intended place of residence was 44 Charteris Road, Tollington Park, London. Sadly, Alfred Burrows passed away on 12th July 1912.
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