Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Benjamin Frank Burden was born on 8th February, 1864 at Gosport, Hampshire, England to parents Benjamin Franklin Burden & Celia Burden (nee Boulter).                        

He joined the Royal Navy on 7th May, 1885 for a period of 12 years. He was given a service number of 133076 (Portsmouth). His previous occupation was listed as Clerk & he was 5ft 4 in with brown hair, blue eyes & a fresh complexion.

Benjamin Frank Burden was posted to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington as Writer 3 on 7th May, 1885 then transferred to H.M.S. Bacchante on 18th May, 1885. 3rd Writer Benjamin Frank Burden was transferred to H.M.S. Briton on 5th July, 1885 then transferred back to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 15th July, 1887. He was transferred to H.M.S. Vernon on 2nd November, 1887.

Benjamin Frank Burden married Charlotte Elizabeth Maitland in 1888 at Portsea Island, Hampshire, England.

Cecilia Elizabeth Burden’s birth, daughter of Benjamin & Charlotte Burden, was registered in September quarter, 1888. Benjamin Franklin Burden’s birth, son of Benjamin & Charlotte Burden, was registered in March quarter, 1890 at Portsea Island, Hampshire.

On 6th May, 1890 3rd Writer Burden was promoted to 2nd Writer while still on H.M.S. Vernon.

The 1891 England Census recorded Benjamin’s wife – Charlotte E. Burden (Head of the household, aged 28) living at 49 Telephone Road, Landport, Portsea, Hampshire, England.  Two of Charlotte’s children were also listed – Benjamin F. Burden (age 1) & Cecilia Burden (aged 2). Also listed was Jane Maitland (listed as Mother-in-law, married, aged 48) & George Joiner, who was listed as a Lodger (Writer, Royal Navy, aged 25).

2nd Writer Burden was transferred to H.M.S. Camperdown on 17th November, 1892 then promoted to Chief Writer on 5th May, 1895 still serving in H.M.S. Camperdown.

Lily Gertrude Burden’s birth, daughter of Benjamin & Charlotte Burden, was registered in September quarter, 1893. A death was reported in the Births, Deaths & Marriages for Lily Gertrude Burden, on 17th November, 1893, daughter of Frank & Charlotte Burden, aged 6 months.

On 1st October, 1895 Chief Writer Burden was transferred to H.M.S. Grafton then to H.M.S. Victory I on 21st October, 1895.

Benjamin Franklin Burden, father of Benjamin Frank Burden, died in 1896

May Victoria Burden’s birth, daughter of Benjamin & Charlotte Burden, was registered in June quarter, 1897 at Portsea Island, Hampshire. John Burden’s birth, son of Benjamin & Charlotte Burden, was registered in June quarter, 1899 at Portsea Island, Hampshire.

He was transferred to H.M.S. Marathon on 4th February, 1899.

The 1901 England Census recorded Benjamin F. Burden as a 34 year old, married, Chief Writer on board of H.M.S. Marathon, Royal Navy which was at Trincomalee, East Indies on the night of Sunday 31st March, 1901.

[The 1901 England Census recorded Benjamin’s wife & children boarding with Jane Maitland (Widow, retired dressmaker, aged 58) at 4 Orchard Road, Kingston and East Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Charlotte E. Burden was listed as living on own means (aged 39) & her four children – Cecilliar E. Burden (aged 12), Frank B. Burden (aged 11), May V. Burden (aged 3) & John Burden (aged 2).]

Chief Writer Burden was transferred back to H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 24th December, 1901 then transferred to H.M.S. Excellent on 20th February, 1902. He was transferred again on 7th January, 1904 to H.M.S. Clyde. Chief Writer Burden was transferred to H.M.S. Cormorant on 1st July, 1907 then transferred to H.M.S. Victory I on 1st June, 1909. He was transferred to H.M.S. Excellent on 18th November, 1910.

The 1911 England Census recorded Benjamin F. Burden as a 47 year old, married, Chief Writer with Royal Navy, living with his family at 26 North End Grove, North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. His wife was listed as Charlotte E. Burden (aged 49, born in parish of Portsea, Hants.) Benjamin & Charlotte had been married for 23 years & had 8 children, 4 having since died. Three children were listed on this Census – Frank B. Burden (Clerk, aged 21, born Portsea, Hants.), May V. Burden (At School, aged 13, born Portsea, Hants.) & John Burden (At School, aged 11, born Portsea, Hants.).

He was transferred to H.M.S. Victory on 14th June, 1913 then to the London Depot on 22nd August, 1913.

Benjamin Frank Burden joined the Royal Australian Navy as Chief Writer on 22nd August, 1913 for a period of 5 years. He was given a service number with the Royal Australian Navy of 8251. At the time he was 5ft 4 inches with grey hair, blue eyes & a fresh complexion.

Chief Writer Benjamin Frank Burden was transferred from the London Depot to H.M.A.S. Australia on 12th September, 1913 to 30th November, 1913 when he was transferred to H.M.A.S. Cerberus on 1st December, 1913. He was transferred to London Depot from 17th July, 1915. The following is in the remarks column of Chief Writer Benjamin Frank Burden’s Service Record card: “Approved to be discharged. “Invalided” from day following that of his arrival in Eng.”

On 21st November, 1915 Chief Petty Officer Writer Benjamin Frank Burden died at The Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Hampshire, England from “scloris of cord” (?).

He was buried was buried on 25th November, 1915 in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Gosport, Hampshire, England – Plot number E. 24. 3. and has an “Admiralty Cross” headstone, provided by the Admiralty. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/gosport---haslar-royal-naval.html