Private William J Burrell

William James Burrell was the son of Henry and Ada Selina (Clarke) Burrell, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire; husband of Margaret (Ide) Burrell, of Aylesbury. Married 30 July 1938. He enlisted in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and volunteered for airborne forces.

His brother L/Cpl Henry Burrell, No. 5381819, Corps of Military Police, was killed in action on 23 October 1944, aged 25, in Italy and is buried in Florence War Cemetery. The CWGC, for some reason, does not link Henry to either William or his parents.

Private Burrell successfully completed glider training and was posted to 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, and took part in operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Burrell was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 36, and was given a field burial at Hamminkeln and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery on 24 March 1947.

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