World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, he served as a Corporal in the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, British Army. During the Battle of Loos France, on September 27, 1915, Corporal Burt's battalion were lined up in their trenches waiting to go over the top for frontal attack. Their section of the line came under heavy machine gun fire, forcing even more men into their already crowded trenches. Just at that time, a German trench mortar barrage hit them and an incredibly powerful shell landed in their midst. It did not explode immediately so without thought, Corporal Burt ran to it, held it firm with one foot, pulled the fuse out and threw it over the parapet before it could explode saving the lives of 20 or more of his comrades. For most Prestigious gallantry, he was promoted Sergeant and awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in March 1916. He continued to serve on the Western Front until his battalion was disembodied in 1919. After the war, Sergeant Burt was one of the Honor Guard during the internment of the Unknown Warrior in England, on November 11, 1920. He died in the Tindal General Hospital Chesham, England, at age 67 from complications caused by his exposure to poison gas during the war.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, he served as a Corporal in the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment, British Army. During the Battle of Loos France, on September 27, 1915, Corporal Burt's battalion were lined up in their trenches waiting to go over the top for frontal attack. Their section of the line came under heavy machine gun fire, forcing even more men into their already crowded trenches. Just at that time, a German trench mortar barrage hit them and an incredibly powerful shell landed in their midst. It did not explode immediately so without thought, Corporal Burt ran to it, held it firm with one foot, pulled the fuse out and threw it over the parapet before it could explode saving the lives of 20 or more of his comrades. For most Prestigious gallantry, he was promoted Sergeant and awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in March 1916. He continued to serve on the Western Front until his battalion was disembodied in 1919. After the war, Sergeant Burt was one of the Honor Guard during the internment of the Unknown Warrior in England, on November 11, 1920. He died in the Tindal General Hospital Chesham, England, at age 67 from complications caused by his exposure to poison gas during the war.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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