Leading Seaman, J/9788, H.M.S. "Bittern.", Royal Navy who died on Thursday 4th April 1918. Died one week after his wedding. No known grave. Commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26

Sergeant 7867, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Monday 9th November 1914 in France & Flanders. Age 29. Born Clifton, enlisted Bedford, resident Shefford. Son of the late James and Hannah (nee Stevens) Burnage, of Ampthill Rd., Shefford, Bedfordshire. No known grave. No known grave. Commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10 and 11

Extract from the Biggleswade Chronicle 13 November 1914:

NEWS FROM SHEFFORD MEN.

Sergeant R. Burnage, of the Bedfordshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Burnagc, of Ampthill Road; writing home under date 1st November, says:—"Very pleased to say that I am still safe and well, and hope to continue so, but the weather out here is enough to kill anyone, especially at nights. I have written to Alf Mason's wife to tell her he is missing, but if you see anyone going to Haynes you might tell them as well. I have got George Carter in my Company. They are all right at present. Hoping you are all well at home."

Private D. Dilley of the 2nd Bedfords has a bullet wound in his thigh and is going on well at the base Hospital at Boulogne. He had been at the front for about a month.

Extract from the Biggleswade Chronicle December 1914:

Though not up to the time of writing confirmed by the War Office. Mr. and Mrs. J. Burnage. of Ampthill Road. have received letter from Pte. G. Carter, that their son. Sergt. Robert Burnage, of the 1st Bedfords, has been killed in action. This report is corroborated in a letter from Pte A. Sale, of the same regiment, to a friend at Shefford. who states that Pte S. Wright, also of Shefford, saw Sergeant Burnage fall, shot through the heart, dying immediately. Sergeant R. Burnage was the fifth son of Mr.. and Mrs. J. Burnage, and was born at Clifton 29 years ago. He has been in the 1st Bedfords for eleven years, having seen service in India and Ireland. He was a noted rifle shot in the regiment, having won many prizes for his shooting. He also played in the Regimental Football and Hockey elevens. He went from Ireland to the front, on the outbreak of hostilities and was present at the Battles of Mons, the Marne, the Aisne, Lille and Ypres, and had written several cheering letters home. On one occasion shrapnel cut across his puttees.

The death of Sergeant Robert Burnage of the 1st Bedfords, has now been confirmed by the War Office. Mr. J Burnage, of Sheffotd, received a communication on Monday to say that his son was killed in action on November 9th.

Extract from the Biggleswade Chronicle 19 March 1915:

DEAD HERO REMEMBERED.

By order of the Secretary for War, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bumage, of Ampthill Road, Shefford, have received H.R.H. Princess Mary's gifts of tobacco, box, card, etc., which, had he been alive, would have been sent to their son, Sergt. Robert Burnage, of the 1st 1Bedfords, who was killed in the trenches on November 9th. last.

Robert George Burnage is commemorated on
the family gravestone in Campton Churchyard.

Private (Acting Corporal) PO/7466, (RM/RB/539). H.Q. Portsmouth, Royal Marine Light Infantry who died from disease on Friday 26th November 1915. Born 8 September 1874 in Shefford. Husband of H Cheshire, of High Street, Toddington. Buried in Campton and Shefford Cemetery, Shefford. Plot H. Grave 77.

Private R/257603, "E" Squadron Remount Depot, Royal Army Service Corps. Died at home 23rd June 1918. Born Wimbledon, enlisted Northampton, resident Shefford. Buried in Campton and Shefford Cemetery, Shefford. Grave Plot B. Grave 89

Private 12576, 6th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Died of wounds Thursday 20th July 1916 in France & Flanders. Age 24. Born Shefford, Beds, enlisted St. Pancras, Middlesex, resident Bedford. Husband of Grace Pettifer, of 8, Victoria Terrace, Ampthill Rd., Shefford. Buried in Campton and Shefford Cemetery, Shefford. Plot B. Grave 71.

Extract from Biggleswade Chronicle 8 July 1916:

DEATH OF SHEFFORD SOLDIER.

We regret say that Private Pettifer, Royal Berkshre Regiment, son of Mrs. R. Pettifer, of New Street, died the 20th inst, from wounds received in France on the 14th inst. He was in a military hospital at Blackburn, and the body was brought to Shefford, and on Saturday was accorded a military funeral at the Campton Road Cemetery. The deceased was a married man, with one child, and was 25 years old. The funeral was conducted by the Rev E. Dakin (vicar), the chef mourners being Mrs. A. Pettifer (wife), Mrs. R. Pettifer (mother), Mrs. E. D....ey, Miss and Mrs. F. Jenkins (friends). The R.E. Band from Haynes Park, and the Band of the King's Shropshire L.I. were in attendance, and the latter regiment, by permission of Colonel Appleyard, also supplied the bearers and the firing party. There were many floral tributes. After the 'Last Post' the milittary were entertained to tea provided by various ladies and gentlemen of the town in the Old School.

[Spelt WAGSTAFFE on SDGW] Rifleman 3406, "A" Company, 8th (City of London) Battalion (Post Office Rifles), London Regiment. Died of a perforated duodenal ulcer in Military Hospital, Hampstead, on Wednesday 13th December 1916. Aged 28. Born Huntingdon, resident Shefford, Beds, enlisted London. Son of Sam Wagstaff of Canal View, Biggleswade; husband of Mabel (nee Gunn, formerly Wagstaff) Hoad, of 31, East Park, Crawley, Sussex, formerly 3, Victoria Road, Shefford, married 6th March 1911. . Brother of Harry (below). Buried in CAMPTON AND SHEFFORD CEMETERY, SHEFFORD. Grave E. 71. See also Biggleswade and Meppershall.

Flight Lieutenant, 155236, 247 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died on Friday 18th August 1944. Age 22. Son of William and Ada Ellen Guthrie, of Shefford. Buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Plot II. Row F. Grave 17.

Leading Aircraftman, 1380753, Pilot U/T who died on Thursday 7th August 1941. Age 21. Son of Edward and Emma Pyper, of Shefford. Buried in Campton and Shefford Cemetery, Shefford. Plot H. Grave 50.

Gunner, 1781981, 80 H.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery who was presumed killed in action at sea Thursday 7th January 1943. Aged 36. Born 2nd November 1906 in Shefford, Bedfordshire, resident Luton, Bedfordshire. Son of Frederick and Winifred Seymour; husband of Gwendoline Fanny (nee Bandy) Seymour, of Maulden, married in Ampthill Registration District, Bedfordshire July to September Quarter 1939. Admitted to Shefford Board/Lower School, Shefford, Bedfordshire 5 January 1914, son of Frederick, resident New Street, Shefford, left 22nd November 1918. In the 1939 Register he was a Painter & Decorator, married to Gwendoline F Seymour, resident 67 St Mildreds Avenue, Luton, Luton M.B., Bedfordshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Memorial, Tunisia. Face 8.

Leading Seaman, D/JX 150550, H.M.S. Drake, Royal Navy who died on Thursday 9th May 1946. Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Tarlton, of Shefford. Buried in Campton and Shefford Cemetery, Shefford. Plot H. Grave 48.

Aircraft Mechanic 1st Class 237809, I. Anti-Aircraft Depot, Royal Air Force. Died 4th August 1921. Age 29. Son of Frederick Charles and Edith Woolcock, of I, (left) Prospect Place, Penryn, Cornwall. Buried in Campton and Shefford Cemetery, Shefford. Grave B. 5.