Basil Burberre (Bill) Etheridge

Rank:Fireman NFS
Died:07/08/1943Age:39
How Died:Accidental
Incident Date:04/08/1943
Incident Address.Trafford Park
Died Address:Abbotsfield Hospital, Flixton
Grave Photo:No
Cemetery or Memorial:Manchester Crematorium
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born as Basil Burberre Etheridge (Not Basil
Burburie Etherdge) on the 25th April 1904, the
birth being registered during the June quarter
1904 in the St. Albans R.D. - ref: 3a/793, the son
of Horace Scrase & Lizzie Etheridge (nee Rose).

1911 Census - 25 Ridgmont Road, St. Albans,
Herfordshire.   Son - aged: 6 - born: St. Albans. 
 Head of household - Horace Etheridge - Married -
aged: 43 - occ: Commercial Traveller - born:
Brighton, Sussex.   Also Lizzie Etheridge - Wife -
Aged:42 - born: St. Albans.   Plus 2 elder
brothers.

Board of Trade Merchant Marine (later Merchant
Navy) records.   His C.R.10 record card No. 209211
dated the 4th October 1921 states that he was
Basil Burberrie Etheridge and was born on the 25th
April 1904 at St. Albans to British parents.

His C.R.1. record card dated the 5th June 1925
states that he was Basil Burberrie Etheridge, born
in 1904 at St. Albans.  His discharge number was
1127189 and his Rating was "Lamps" ???   He was 5
feet 9 inches in height, had Blue eyes and Fair
hair.   There is a photograph of him attached to
his record card.

Married Amy Bishop during the September quarter
1929 in the St. Albans R.D. - ref: 3a/2771.  Their
daughter - Pamela E. Etheridge was born during the
September quarter 1930 in the Salford R.D. - ref:
8d/501.

1939 National Registration - The Cottage, 26
Norreys Avenue, Urmston.   Basil B. Etheridge -
Married - Born on the 25th April 1904 - occ:
Duplicator Maintenance.  Amy Etheridge  Married -
Born on the 31st December 1903 - occ: Unpaid
Domestic Duties.   There is one redacted record at
this address which will be their daughter Pamela
E. Etheridge.

CWGC - Fireman, N.F.S. Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. S.
Etheridge, of 108 Stour Road, Christchurch,
Hampshire; husband of Amy Etheridge, of 26 Norreys
Avenue, Flixton. Injured 4 August 1943, at Manor
Road; died at Abbotsfield Hospital, Flixton.   
Listed as Basil Burberrie Etheridge.

Death registered during the September quarter 1943
in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/463 -
aged: 39.

Roll of Honour - In Memorium - Manchester Evening
News - edition dated 7th August 1943.   The
edition dated the 11th August 1943 carried a
report of his funeral:-

"BOYS' TRIBUTE.  Fifty N.F.S.boy messengers were
followers at the service funeral at Manchester
Crematorium of their friend and helper - Mr. Basil
B. Etheridge, who was burned to death when his
motorcycle skidded and caught fire".

The Fire Brigade Report on the Incident states
that at 21.25 hrs on the 4th August 1943, the
Brigade was called to an incident at Stretford
Road, Urmston, where a motor cycle was on fire. 
The report states that NFS Fireman Etheridge
received severe burns to his lower body and legs. 
 One jet and one CTC Extinguisher was in use.  
However, the CWGC report states that he was
injured at Manor Avenue, Trafford Park, which is,
of course, innaccurate - There is no Manor Avenue
in Trafford Park, it actually joins Stretford
Road, Urmston, so the incident may well have
occurred at the junction of Manor Avenue and
Stretford Road?.

Basil was taken to the Abbotsfield Hospital were
he died.  "Abbotsfield House" became an Auxiliary
Hospital during WW2 and was situated at the corner
of Chassen Road and Flixton Road, now the Flixton
Conservative Club.

Probate - Administration granted on the 3rd
November 1943 at Manchester to Amy Etheridge
(widow).   His Estate was valued at £982. 12.
11d.


District:
Urmston (Trafford MBC)
Memorials found on:
C.W.G.C.
Similar Names