| Regimental number | 15938 |
| Place of birth | Townsville, Queensland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Grocer |
| Address | Hotel Victoria, South Brisbane, Queensland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 38 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 108 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mr John Robert Burns, The Pines, Goomboorian, Gympie, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | 21 March 1917 |
| Place of enlistment | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Unit name | Australian Army Service Corps, 1st & 2nd Anzac Mounted Divisions, 15th Reinforcement |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT Port Darwin on 30 April 1918 |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BURNS William James |
