Private Robert Lytle Burchfield
1027596
Enlisted in the 235th Battalion CEF – Jan 6, 1917
Born – Valois, Schuyler Coiuntry, New York, USA
Died of Wounds – Aug 29th, 1918
Buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery, France
It is one of the most idyllic spots in the United States. His hometown was situated on the eastern side of one of the most beautiful lakes in New York. The tiny speck of a town is called Valois. From the raised perched upon which it was built is commanded a majestic view up to the north and down to the south of Lake Seneca. And in the evenings, when the sun begins its’ descent, the townsfolks would, once again, be reminded the meaning of serenity. Yet, it was from this spot where a 24 yr old American decided to give it all up and travel across the border to Belleville in Canada and join the 235th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Private Robert Lytle Burchfield would become one of the 2700 Americans who lost their lives in the service of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In the course of the war, over 60,000 Americans enlisted to fight with the CEF. The majority of these men were expats who were born in the England or Scotland, had emigrated to the United States and decided to enlist and help their mother country in the war effort. However, not all of these young Americans volunteers were ex-pats. Many were attracted by the opportunity to participate in one of the greatest wars in modern memory. Despite the horrible stories that were being told of life in the trenches that were being told in the newspapers, these lads relished the chance to join in on the fun. The stories of the atrocities committed by the German troops on occupied France and Belgium were published in books and newspapers and contributed to the drive to attract men from the USA to consider coming up to Canada and get an opportunity to fight in France. The CEF even created a Battalion that primarily consisted of American volunteers. They were called the American Legion Battalion and trained together before being broken up and used as replacements once they arrived in England and France.
It is unclear why Robert Burchfield decided to enlist, however what is certain is that he came from a long line of American patriots. It is recorded that his gr-gr-gr-gr-gr grandfather was Thomas Burchfield. He lived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1731 while the United States was still a colony of Great Britain. It is unclear if he fought in the American Revolution, however his son, James Burchfield served in the US Army and fought in the War of 1812. Robert’s namesake and paternal grandfather, Robert Little Burchfield fought against the South in the US Civil War. Thus, when it came to service and sacrifice the Burchfield’s proved since they arrived in the colony’s they were brave patriotic Americans.
Once he signed up with the CEF, Robert trained with the Bowmanville-based battalion and travelled to England in May 1917. Soon after arrival in Liverpool, men from the 235th Battalion were transferred to the 208th Canadian Irish Battalion. Following more time spent in training, Private Burchfield was sent to France on Marc 29th, 1918 and joined the 116thBattalion. Most of the Spring and early summer of 1918 was spent in intensive training with the 116th. More than half of the men of the Battalion were ‘green’ soldiers and only recently arriving in the unit. These men needed to be fully trained on the new infantry tactics with the war changing from one of stalemate and stagnation to one of movement. Soldiers like Burchfield, needed to be able to be cross trained in a number of roles; from rifleman, to bomber, to Lewis Gunners, Scout or Stretcher-bearer. Each platoon within a battalion was composed of multiple sections and each needed to act independently from each other…yet all moving forward to achieve the objectives established for the unit.
With many of his fellow soldiers, his baptism of fire would take place on August 8th, 1918 in the attack on Amiens. Thankfully, he was able to survive this first day. The 116th was able to successfully achieve their assigned objective of taking Hamon Wood. Soon after, the Battalion was quickly moved north and assigned to participate alongside the other Battalions of the 9thInfantry Brigade in the taking of Boiry Notre Dame. This objective was assigned to the 116th in the Second Battle of Arras. On the 28th of August, the young American Private was hit in the legs by an exploding enemy shell. He was taken from the field and succumbed to his wounds the next day.
Today is Memorial Day in the United States. This is the day where Americans mourn those who lost their lives in the service of their country. While he wore a Maple Leaf on his shoulder, he was about as American as one can get. Today is the day where we should thank and remember Private Robert Lytle Burchfield for his service and sacrifice.
Remember him.