Regimental number | 16 |
Place of birth | Sydney, New South Wales |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Station manager |
Address | Gowan Brae, Parramatta, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 27 |
Height | 6' 0.5" |
Weight | 161 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, James Burns, Gowan Brae, Parramatta, New South Wales |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Place of enlistment | Holsworthy, New South Wales |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 4th Light Horse Brigade, Headquarters |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/4/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board TRANSPORT A29 Suevic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Lieutenant |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 14th Machine Gun Company |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Place of burial | Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery (Plot I, Row F, Grave No 1), France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 177 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Colonel the Hon. Sir James BURNS, KCMG, and Lady BURNS |
Family/military connections | Brother: 115 Sergeant John BURNS, 6th Bn, discharged, 9 March 1917. |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 30 August 1915. Transferred to 6th Light Horse Regiment, 27 November 1915; taken on strength, Anzac Cove, 28 November 1915. Disembarked Alexandria, 25 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 20 January 1916. Transferred to 4th Bn, 27 January 1916, and taken on strength of unit, Tel el Kebir. Transferred to 56th Bn, and taken on strength, 16 February 1916. Detached to School of Instruction, Zeitoun, 5 March 1916; rejoined Bn from detachment, 25 March 1916. Attached for duty to 14th Australian Machine Gun Company, 26 March 1916. Detached to School of Instruction, Ismailia, 31 March 1916; rejoined unit from detachment, 20 April 1916. Qualified as 1st Class Instructor, Vicker's Maxim Machine Gun Course, 31 March-20 April 1916. Seconded for duty with 14th Australian Machine Gun Company, 27 May 1916. Promoted Lieutenant, 30 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 June 1916. Reported missing, 20 July 1916. Undated statement by CO, 5th Machine Gun Bn: 'He was last seen after the German counter-attack had succeeded on both flanks and it is supposed that he was killed whilst visiting the left flank of the 14th Brigade.' Identification Disc received from Germany. No particulars afforded except that Officer is deceased. To be reported as: KILLED IN ACTION. Authority: AAG, Anzac Section, from War Office letter, 24 February 1917. Note on file: 'Lieut. Burns, R.D. 14.M.G.K. (Australier) am 19.7. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.' Red Cross File No 650105 has statement from Warrant Officer G.E. PARKES, 14th Machine Gun Company, 26 September 1919: 'I saw him hit by a piece of shell going over in a charge at Fromelles. He was taken away very badly wounded and shortly afterwards friends of mine heard from his sister to the effect that he had died as a result of his wounds.' The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16. Identity disc returned from Germany to British War Office, 14 March 1917. Note, Red Cross File No 650105: 'The above name appeared on German death list dated 4-11-16'. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Originally listed as 'No Known Grave' and commemorated on the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux; subsequently (2010) identified, and interred in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, France. |
Miscellaneous details | Name entered incorrectly on Embarkation Roll as Robert Davis BURNS. |
Sources | NAA: B2455, BURNS Robert David
Red Cross File No 650105 |