The Battle of Warburg

Philippe de Büren was the fourth son of Victor Charles de Büren (1707-1773) and Catherine Fischer (1712-1787). Like his two older brothers David and Louis, Philippe would become a part of a Swiss regiment in the service of France. He would start his military service at the age of 17 and would become a First Lieutenant three years later. Philippe would fight in many battles of the Seven Years' War starting in 1757 and his future was considered bright.

On the 31st of July 1760 during the Battle of Warburg in North West Germany, Philippe would be killed by a canon blast. He was only 22 years old.

Illustration of the Battle of Warburg

The French were said to have lost between 1,500 and 8,000 men during the battle depending on the account. While doing historical research and looking at battle summaries it is easy to get numb to casualty numbers. However it is important to reflect on the fact that Philippe, like every man, like every number, had a possible future that went unrealized.

Philippe (in red) with his older brothers, father and mother

Three of Philippe's brothers would live to adulthood, and they would become the heads of the three main branches of the de Büren family, two of which still flourish today.

Charles de Büren – 1st – Descendants live in Switzerland, France, The United States, Argentina and Brazil.

David de Büren – 2nd – Died with Eugène de Büren of Bern in 1966.

Louis de Büren – 3rd – Descendants live in The United States.