JAMES PERCIVAL DENNIS BURLEY
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Evening Star – 27th October 1943.
Registered at birth – Percival Dennis James Burley
Born: 1922, Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
Died: 11th October 1943; age: 21 – flying accident near Heany, Southern Rhodesia.
Residence: 119, Richmond Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Metallurgist at Manganese & Brass Company, Ipswich.
Percival was a member of the Manganese & Brass Company’s Home Guard.
Rank: Sergeant/Pilot under training; Service Number: 1635395.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Grave Reference:
Grave 88.
Zimbabwe.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Florence Ellen Burley, of Ipswich.
Father: Frederick Percy Burley, born 1886, Paddington, Middlesex – died 1930, Ipswich. A Sergeant for the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Mother: Florence Ellen Burley (nee Smith), born February 1882, Hevingham, Norfolk.
Sister: Florence Le’varna Burley, born June 1920, Warley, Essex.
Percival was educated at Northgate School, Ipswich.
11th October 1943
Aircraft: Airspeed Oxford; based in Heany, Southern Rhodesia. On the 11th October 1943, both BM785 and BM803 were lost over South Rhodosia. It is not known whether the two aircraft crashed separately or collided. One report suggests that James Burley may have been flying BM803, with John MacLuskie and John Halbert (who were both qualified pilots) flying BM785. Another report suggests that James, John MacLuskie and John Halbert were all killed in BM785 which crashed in unknown circumstances.
John Kenneth MacLuskie; Sergeant/Pilot; age 23; R.A.F.V.R.
John Halbert; Sergeant/Pilot; R.A.F.V.R.
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