Alfred Alexander Burt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred Alexander Burt
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| Born | 3 March 1895 Hertford, Hertfordshire |
| Died | 9 June 1962 (aged 67) Chesham, Buckinghamshire |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1911–1919 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Hertfordshire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |  Victoria Cross |
Alfred Alexander Burt was a very brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for courage in the face of the enemy. This special medal is given to soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth. Alfred Burt was born on March 3, 1895, and passed away on June 9, 1962.
Alfred Burt's Amazing Bravery
Before World War I started, Alfred Burt worked with gas pipes. In 1911, he joined the Hertfordshire Regiment as a part-time soldier. When the war began, he became a full-time soldier. He arrived on the Western Front in November 1914. The Western Front was a major battle area in France and Belgium.
His incredible act of bravery happened on September 27, 1915. He was 20 years old and a corporal at the time. This day was during a big British attack called the Battle of Loos. His group was getting ready to attack German lines near a place called Cuinchy.
Suddenly, a large enemy bomb landed right in their trench. This bomb was called a "minenwerfer bomb." Corporal Burt knew how dangerous these bombs were. He could have hidden behind a wall of earth, called a traverse.
But instead, he bravely rushed forward. He put his foot on the bomb's fuse. He quickly pulled the fuse out of the bomb. Then, he threw the fuse over the trench wall. This made the bomb harmless. His quick thinking and great courage saved the lives of many other soldiers in the trench.
He received his Victoria Cross medal from King George V in March 1916. After that, he went back to the front lines. He continued to serve for the rest of the war. He was later promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
On November 11, 1920, he was part of a special group. He was one of 100 Victoria Cross holders. They formed an honour guard for the burial of the Unknown Warrior. This important event took place at Westminster Abbey in London.
Alfred Burt passed away in 1962 at the age of 67. He lived in Chesham, England. His health had suffered because he was exposed to a gas attack during the war. To remember his bravery, there is a road named after him in Chesham called "Alfred Burt VC Close."
The Victoria Cross Medal
Alfred Burt's Victoria Cross medal is kept at the Hertford Museum. It is part of the collection for the Hertfordshire Regiment.
