World War I in Bulloch County Memorial Project: SGT George Guy Burgess

Sgt. George Guy Burgess was born on March 16, 1894 in Malden Massachusetts to parents Wakefield Burgess and Lillian Butitanlt. George lived in Massachusetts his entire life until he joined the US Army on January 17, 1917. He lived in multiple locations, most likely different forts at which he was training. Burgess eventually made his way to Swainsboro, GA. He was married for a short period to his first wife, but it is unknown as to why their marriage ended. He married his second wife, Elsie May Neff, on August 19, 1917 in York, Pennsylvania. She would remain there while he moved around for military duties. She is the "Mrs. George G. Burgess" on his death card listed at the 639 E King Street, York, PA address. Shortly after their marriage, he was called to Hoboken, New Jersey where he departed for the Western Front on October 29, 1917. While on the Western Front, he served in Sommerviller, Ansauville, and Cantigny, France. He lost his life on the Cantigny Front on May 10, 1918.

The main battle in Cantigny did not occur until after his death, so it is assumed that he died during preparations for the first major engagement after the Americans joined the war. The ultimate cause of death was a fragment grenade. He is one of the almost 280,000 casualties that the Americans suffered during the war. His wife elected to have his body left in France. He is buried in the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in Bony, Departement, de l’Aisne, Picardie, France. He is located in plot c, row 14, grave 14.

Citations:

Burgess, George. Death Card for George Burgess. May 10,1918. Somme, France. WW1 Statement of Service Summary Cards. National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed February 19, 2024. https://catalog.archives.gov /. 

“Marriages.” The York Dispatch, August 24, 1917 https://www.newspapers.com/image/614490303

Miscellaneous World War 1 Records, Adjutant General, Defense, RG 22-1-14, Georgia Archives World War 1 Casualties Scrapbooks

Burgess, George. Burial Card for George Guy Burgess. May 12, 1918. Somme, France. 

Burgess, George. “Army Transport List for 1st Company, 18th Infantry Division.” October 29, 1917. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.

Burgess, George and Elsie May Neff. Marriage License Application. August 18, 1917. York, Pennsylvania. York County Clerk’s Office. York, Pennsylvania. 

Haulsee, W. M.; Washington, D. C.; Soldiers of the Great War Volume 3

Burgess George C., 2008.https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?peopleID=7917.

Burgess, George. “Birth Record for George Burgess.” March 16, 1894. Malden, Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital Records. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.