Pte 3795 Thomas Burtney (Burtanay)

[Tim Bell]

See http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=1522.msg54966#msg54966
Pte Burtney (B 1977) enlisted and Embodied in 5th Bttn at Wigan on 5/7/1915 and served at home in 3/5th Reserve Bttn.
Thomas was discharged from 5th Coy of 45th Prov Bttn on 4/9/1916, aged 39y 7m. 15 Longshute Ln, Wigan. He had debility later determined as aggravated by service. No TB found.
A copy of the letter from his widow dated 17/7/1919 states that Thomas died on 18/12/1917. Cause n/k.
Thomas had married Alice Heath in Kent in Q3 1916.  She applied for a pension. Declined as they had married after discharge.
wigan war memorial

[mack]

this soldiers real name was Thomas Arbuthnot
at the time of his death,he lived at 3 morris row,scholes
buried wigan cemetery.B620.CE. No headstone
hes buried with his wife alice,she never remarried after Thomas died

[PaulC]

I've turned up an additional pension card which gives his cause of death as "chronic bronchitis cardiac failure aggravated by active service": https://www.fold3.com/image/668374256

I don't know whether or not that's enough to make this a viable case. The medical reports in his file make no mention of bronchitis so far as I can see, only that he tested negative for tb.

[Tim Bell]

Good work Paul,
I'll pull a file together for IFCP to review.  I think I've had simaler cases acceepted on the WFA Card, where the pension / service record doesn't show the diagnosis of a "debility" and no contradiction to cause of death.  At least DGAMS found the undiagnosed debility to be aggravated.
I'm also waiting for a DC on an epilepsy case where the pension shows debility and defective teeth consistent with symptoms of epilepsy - grinding teeth in seizure.  Terry will put this case forward if the DC confirms epilepsy as cause of death.
It is strange how Thomas had so many spellings on his name and none of the records show Arbuthnot. I'm still dissapointed I missed the relevant WFA card.  Thanks for spotting it.
Tim

Update
Terry says debility is too broad and other cases have been refused for this. If bronchitis or clear sypmtoms of such were mentioned, we may have a different scenario.

[PaulC]

I've turned up a further pension card for Wm Arburthnot 11780 Border Regt, of 15 Longshoot, Scholes, Wigan, dependant was Jane Arburthnot. I assume it's the same man, but can find no further records with those service details.

https://www.fold3.com/image/668171704?xid=6792