Albert Burningham

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Horsham branch

Died: 27 October 1942

Albert Gordon Burningham was born on 16 November 1918, the son of Allen Edward and Alma Primrose Burningham. He was educated at the Lancastrian Boys' School, Chichester, the Church of England School, Pulborough and Midhurst Grammar School. After leaving school he joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its Petersfield branch in February 1936. He later worked at Bognor Regis Alwick Road branch for about a year before being transferred to Horsham branch in June 1938. Outside work he was a devoted member of the Christian organisation Toc H, and spent his holidays and time off supporting its activities, including camps for underprivileged London boys.

Burningham joined the Royal Sussex Regiment (Territorials) in February 1939, and was called to active service at the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. He was posted to France in April 1940, and was part of the evacuation from Dunkirk some weeks later. In the latter half of 1941 he undertook officer training, and in May 1942 was posted to Egypt as a Lieutenant of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was killed in action there on 27 October 1942. He was 23 years old.