Burke, S (Samuel)
Burke, S (Samuel)
Fusilier Samuel Burke served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Battalion. He was the son of George and Annie Burke, of Braehead, Londonderry.
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Battalion was created for young soldiers who had volunteered for service but had yet to reach the age of conscription (20). It was disbanded in 1943 when the age limit was lowered (18). Conscription was never introduced in Northern Ireland.
Over Belfast and other places in Northern Ireland there was an air raid on the 16th of April 1941 starting at 22:45. It lasted until 4:30 on the 17th.
During the raid, an aerodrome in Newtownards[1] was attacked with incendiary bombs and high explosives. One of the H.E. bombs hit the Headquarters of “A” company, 70th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
As a direct result of the explosions and subsequent fires, 10 were killed and 15 injured in this one incident. One of the injured was Fusilier Burke, although he passed away soon afterwards. Two others would die of wounds before the 21st of the same month. Samuel had only been in the service for ten months.
Samuel Burke was buried from his grandfather’s home during Sunday the 20th of April.
Date of Death: 16/04/1941 (Aged 18)
Service: Fusilier, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 70th Battalion.
Service Number: 6982708
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, Sec. S. Class B. Grave 1218.
[1] Newtownards is a town, 10 miles east of Belfast.
