| Regimental number | 843 |
| Place of birth | Aghavea, Lisnaskea, Co Monaghan, Ireland |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Locomotive driver |
| Address | North Perth, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 45 |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Alice M Burley, Percy Road, Bayswater, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Served on the Instructional Staff, Western Australia; 18 years; 17 months South Africa. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Blackboy Hill, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | CSM (WO Class II) |
| Unit name | Railway Unit, Section 3 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 15/9/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Warrant Officer (Class II) |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 6th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Bar to DCM 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a train. A waggon containing shells was set on fire by hostile shelling, whereupon he uncoupled the remainder of the train and sent it to a safe distance, subsequently returning to the blazing waggon and endeavouring very gallantly to put out the flames. In spite of great efforts he was unsuccessful and the truck exploded, but his energy had saved the remainder of the train, including a gun which was on board.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Fremantle, 29 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 27 March 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 11 May 1917. Awarded Bar to Distinguished conduct Medal, 26 November 1917 (DCM awarded in South Africa). On leave to United Kingdom, 28 February 1918; rejoined unit, 18 March 1918. Transferred to 6th Australian Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company, 27 April 1918. Admitted to Stationary Hospital, Abancourt, 15 June 1918 (foreign body in right eye); discharged to duty, 16 June 1918. On leave to United Kingdom, 31 December 1918. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 16 January 1919 (scabies); discharged, 20 January 1919. admitted to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 22 January 1919 (rheumatism); discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board 'Kildonian Castle', 21 March 1919; promoted warrant Officer Class I for voyage only; disembarked Fremantle, 28 April 1919; discharged, 19 July 1919. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Served for 17 months South Africa with Western Australian Mounted Infantry (enlisted 13 October 1899; awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his role in the defence at Slingersfontein). |
| Date of death | |
| Place of burial | Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BURLEY Johnston |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
