Edward Casburn

Edward enlisted at Retford and was posted to the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment).

The Battalion served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and took part in the Gallipoli campaign which began on the peninsula 25/26 April until the final evacuation of troops at the beginning of January 1916.

Men of the 9th Battalion were assigned tours of duty in the trenches on the eastern slope of Karakol Dagh around the area of Jephson's Post on 27 August 1915. Edward was shot and killed by a sniper on the first day of this tour. (See 'Extra information').

A memorial service was held at Clarborough Church the following month.

Edward has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial (Panel 151 to 153).

He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Helles Memorial (extract): 'The eight month campaign in Gallipoli was fought by Commonwealth and French forces in an attempt to force Turkey out of the war, to relieve the deadlock of the Western Front in France and Belgium, and to open a supply route to Russia through the Dardanelles and the Black Sea. The Allies landed on the peninsula on 25-26 April 1915; the 29th Division at Cape Helles in the south and the Australian and New Zealand Corps north of Gaba Tepe on the west coast, an area soon known as Anzac. On 6 August, further landings were made at Suvla, just north of Anzac, and the climax of the campaign came in early August when simultaneous assaults were launched on all three fronts. However, the difficult terrain and stiff Turkish resistance soon led to the stalemate of trench warfare. From the end of August, no further serious action was fought and the lines remained unchanged. The peninsula was successfully evacuated in December and early January 1916.' (www.cwgc.org)

Edward's younger brother, Maurice, enlisted at Derby on 27 August 1917. He was 18 years old and living at Crossland Farm, South Leverton, Retford, occupation farm servant. His next of kin (and legatee) was his sister Mabel. Maurice was initially posted to the Sherwood Foresters, 6th Training Reserve Bn, but transferred in the September to the 86th Training Bn. at Catterick Bridge. He joined the 22nd Bn Durham Light Infantry (75723 Private), and served with the BEF France from 1 April 1918. He was killed in action on 24 April 1918. Service record: Home 27 August 1917-31 March 1918 (817d), BEF France 1 April 1918-24 April 1918 (25d). Total 242 days. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial (Panel 68 to 72).

Maurice's Army service papers include a letter from his sister, Mabel (Mrs John Cross), which was received by the Infantry Records Office, York, date stamp, 15 June 1918: 'Mrs John Cross, Castle Street, Hill Top, Eastwood. Dear Sir, I am anxious to know the whereabouts of my brother Pte Maurice Casburn 73723 Durham Light Infantry. Last heard of at D. Coy, Ropery Walk Schools, Seaham Harbour, Co Durham. Mrs John Cross née Mabel Casburn.' The file does not include the reply from the Infantry Records Office.

Retford & Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 21 September 1915: ‘Sergt. Casburn, formerly of Clarborough. The intelligence of the death of Sergt. Casburn, a member of the 9th Sherwood Foresters, has been received with extreme regret by his many friends at Clarborough and Retford. The deceased was a nephew of Mr Webster and Madame Benson, and for some years resided with them at Clarborough, working for them on the farm in Church-road. Whilst at Clarborough he was a very esteemed member of the Church choir, where his aunt was the organist. He afterwards left the village and got work at Messrs. Jenkins, Beehive Works, Retford, where he was much liked. St the outbreak of the war he volunteered and joined the Sherwood Foresters on August 25th 1914. Ultimately he proceeded to Belton Park, Grantham, and by strict attention to his duties was promoted to sergeant. His battalion was ordered to the Dardanelles, where he was killed on August 25th last, exactly one year from the date of his enlistment. Pte F Boothright, ‘D’ Co. of the Sherwoods, writing to Sergt Casburn’s friends from the British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on August 25th, says: ‘It is with extreme regret that I have to inform you of Sergt. Ted Casburn’s death. He was shot through the brain whilst calling to a comrade who was badly wounded in both legs. He was telling the poor fellow to try and creep into our trench. The wounded man had been out between the firing lines for three days. Casburn heard the man moaning and crying for help, so he looked over the edge of the trench when the round came from a sniper and he was shot instantly, we all miss poor Ted, he was a smart fellow and extremely well liked by us all, and we miss him very much. I cannot write any more about him, as we are so much upset, but let all his friends and mates know.’ Sergt. Casburn, after leaving Clarborough joined St Alban’s Church choir, and proved himself a very useful member. Sergt Casburn (24) had one brother, Mr Morris-sic Casburn, who is in the employment of Mr Staniland, Hayton. These two brothers, who were left orphans, made their home for some time with Mr and Mrs Wm. Dambent, 30, Grove-lane, Retford. A memorial service was held on Sunday evening at Clarborough Church, conducted by the curate, the Rev. W Parkin.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Note: Private F Boothright, D Coy Sherwood Foresters, mentioned in the above newspaper report, was 13115 Private Frank Boothright who was born in the East Retford (Notts) registration district. He later transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment (47588 Private). Frank enlisted on 25 August 1914 but was discharged aged 24 on 28 November 1917 (392 (xvi) sickness); Silver Badge No. 316161. Frank was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register living with his wife Agnes in Smethwick, Staffordshire.

Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Edward's sister and brother were joint legatees. His brother was killed in 1918 and payments made in 1919 and 1920 were allotted to his sister as the sole legatee.