13615 Pte 5th Battalion (Grenade Company) Saskatchewan Regiment, Canadian Infantry
Harley Burrington was born on 1 December 1883. He was the fourth son of bank manager Gilbert George Burrington and Amelia Frances Bryant. In 1891 the family lived in 98 Westfield. His older brother was Gilbert Burrington. In 1901 he was boarding at School in Haileybury College in Hertfordshire.
The next year he emigrated to Canada. Harley enlisted in the Canadian Infantry at the very start of the war. He was with the first Canadians who arrived in Europe in October 1914 and headed to the front in February 1915. He was wounded when coming out of the trenches at Festubert and died in the General Hospital in Boulogne. He was 31 years old.On 28 July 1915 the Bridgwater Mercury reported that 'BRIDGWATER CANADIAN DIES OF WOUNDS. SON OF FORMER WELL-KNOWN TOWNSMAN. News that Pte Harley Burrington, son of the late G. G. Burrington had died of wounds at Boulogne'.
His death may have prompted one of his brothers to enlist as on 4 August 1915 the Mercury reported 'JOINED THE CANADIANS. Note that Mr Edward Bryant Burrington had joined the 54th Batn of the Canadian Infantry. He was the son of the late Mr G. G. Burrington of Bridgwater'. The fourth brother was Francis Gordon Burrington (8 January 1885- 1948)
He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France, which lies in the district of St. Martin, Boulogne, just beyond the eastern (chateau) corner of the citadel, plot VIII. B. 65. His name was included in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919. His name was added to the family memorial in the Wembdon Road Cemetery, number 140, the inscription reads: Ellen Atwell wife of Edwin H. Burrington who died October 24th 1883 aged 58 years. Edwin H. Burrington who died January 16th 1892 aged 71 years. In Memory of Harley Burrington who died for his country July 23rd 1915 aged 31 years buried at Boulogne. In Memory of Arthur Alfred Burrington who died at San Vigilio, Italy on Oct 9th 1924 aged 68. In Memory of Gilbert Burrington died for his country on the Somme Nov 21st 1916 aged 32 years. In Memory of Gilbert George Burrington May 22nd 1908 aged 55 years. Madeline Burrington died May 12th 1890 aged 16 months. Harry Herbert Burrington, died Dec. 3 1877 aged 26.
