Raymond J. Burgess
RAYMOND J. BURGESS was born in Camden on June 22, 1902 to Elsie and Marcellus Leroy Burgess. His father worked as a blacksmith. The 1910 Census shows the family, which included sons Leroy and Harold, at 620 Walnut Street.
Raymond Burgess was working for the American Ice Company in January of 1917 when he and five other men, including George Clayton and Robert Knox, took part in rescuing a skater who had fallen through the ice at a lake in the Kirkwood section of Voorhees Township. One of the other men, George Clayton, was appointed to the Camden Police Department in 1918; another, Robert Knox, joined the Camden Fire Department the same year.
The Burgess family was living at 710 Mount Vernon Street in 1918, when the elder Burgess worked at New York Shipbuilding Corporation’s shipyards.
Although not old enough to have to register for the draft, Raymond Burgess enlisted in the United States military during World War I, and was still on active duty when the Census was taken in January of 1920. His family had by then moved across the street to 721 Mount Vernon Street by January of 1920. The Burgess family, which included son Leroy Jr., lived at 764 Line Street as late as 1924.
Raymond Burgess married at the age of 21. The 1927 and 1929 City Directories show Raymond Burgess living with wife Helen at 515 South 7th Street and working as a machinist. The April 1930 Census shows them with two daughters, Helen and Marguerite. The Burgess family was still living at 515 South 7th Street when the 1940 Camden City Directory was compiled.
Raymond Burgess was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on December 19, 1930. He reported for duty on January 1, 1931. Raymond Burgess served with Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue in the mid 1930s. The 1943 and 1947 Camden City Directories show the Burgess family living at 1272 Sayrs Avenue. By 1959 Raymond J. Burgess had moved to 265 Marlton Avenue.
Raymond J. Burgess served for over 29 years, retiring on pension on October 22, 1960. He died in May of 1962.
Skater Drowns at Forest Hill
Camden Post-Telegram —
Charles Evans Loses His Life and Several Companions Have Narrow Escape.
SNOW CONCEALED DANGEROUS SPOT
One skater lost his life and several others narrowly escaped a like fate yesterday at Forest Hill Park by going through a hole over which there was a coating of snow. Upwards of 300 persons, mostly skaters, saw the tragedy. The dead man is Charles R. Evans, aged 19 years, of 189 South Thirty-second street, East Camden. He was a member of Company C, Third Regiment, N.J. N.G.
In attempting to rescue their companion, Harry Haas, aged 14 years, of 512 Walnut street, and Graham Wishart, aged 18 years, of 30 South Thirty-fifth street, almost met similar fate. In their frantic efforts to rescue those two, Wilbur Crane, of 1468 Haddon avenue, and Matthew Yingling, of Eighth and Florence streets, also broke through the ice and were dragged out to safety after much difficulty.
Evans, Haas and Wishart were skating together with Evans leading. They apparently forget the hole in the ice on the east bank opposite the sluice box and to the horror of all the three skaters disappeared into the water. Haas and Wishart came up immediately, but Evans did not reappear. Going to the rescue of the men in the water, Crane and Yingling were precipitated into the water. They attempted even then to help Haas and Wishart to the edge of the ice, but their strength was soon exhausted and they had to look to their own safety. They grasped the edge of the ice and tried to pull themselves clear of the water, but their efforts resulted only in the further breaking of the ice and they repeatedly slipped back into the water. Finally they managed to scramble out.
In the meanwhile long poles and ropes were secured and by means of those Haas and Wishart were dragged out more dead than alive. Evans had not yet appeared and the search for him as he was under the ice. Long poles, fitted with grappling hooks, were obtained, and Evans finally was drawn from the lake, after being under the water several minutes.
Noting a flicker of life remaining, Dr. Charles Jackson, summoned by automobile, worked over the stricken youth, but without avail. The youth was sent to the Homeopathic Hospital, where a lungmotor was called into service, but all efforts to revive him proved in vain. The others were taken home in police automobiles after drying out their clothes in the park house.
The fatality had little if any effect on the other skaters, who only stopped when the snow made skating out of the question.
Falling through a thin place in the ice while skating on the lake at Kirkwood, yesterday afternoon, Raymond Harris, aged 23 years, of 2219 Arch street, Philadelphia, had a narrow escape from death. He was rescued by a number of employes of the American Ice Company who heard his cries for help, who were cutting ice less than one hundred yards from where the young skater broke through.
The ice cutters, including Raymond Burgess, George Clayton, Charles Armstrong, Robert Knox, Arthur Kees and Joseph Rush, all of this city, lost no time in procuring boards and rushing to the scene of the near-tragedy. The boy had gone beneath the surface, but by probing in the hole the rescuers were able to catch hold of one of the boards in young Harris’ clothing and brought him to the surface.
Unconscious and apparently dead, the Philadelphian was carried to the engine house of the company, which is located near the lake and after several minutes time he was revived and given a hot bath. Later, after being administered medical attention, he left for his home, apparently none the worst for his trying experience.
Engine Company 7, circa 1936
Captain Henry E. Zook of Engine Company 7 stands between the company’s 1928 American LaFrance combination chemical and hose wagon on left (serial 6305) driven by Raymond Burgess and the 1928 American LaFrance 750 gpm pumper (serial 6303) driven by Russell Benson. Photo dates from about 1936.
Camden Fire Department Personnel Record
NAME: Burgess, Raymond, J. — ENG CO. #7 — GROUP NO. 1
TITLE: Fireman TEL: W10-6-5181 ADDRESS: 265-B Marlton Ave WHERE: Home BADGE NO. 85 BLOOD TYPE: A Positive
BORN AT: Camden, N.J. DATE: June 22nd, 1902
APPOINTED: December 19th, 1930 REPORTED FOR DUTY: January 1st, 1931
Pensioned Oct 22, 1960 DIED MAY 1962