| Regimental number | 2217 |
| Place of birth | Newport, Victoria |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Blackshaws Road, Spotswood, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 30 |
| Next of kin | Adopted Father, T Bates, Blackshaws Road, Spotswood, Victoria |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Rank on enlistment | Driver |
| Unit name | Australian Reserve Park 1, Company 10 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 25/34/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A26 Armadale on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Driver |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 14th Company, Australian Army Service Corps |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Found guilty, Sid Beshr, Egypt, of being absent without leave, 10 pm, 22 May, to 10 am, 24 May 1915: awarded 7 days' confined to camp and forfeiture of 2 days' pay. Embarked from Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli), 7 August 1915. Found guilty, 2 November 1915, of being absent without leave: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2. Tried by Field General Court Martial, 12 November 1915, for civil offence of being in possession of goods reasonably supposed to have been stolen: pleaded not guilty; found not guilty. Transferred to 4th Australian Division Train, 3 March 1916, and taken on strength of 14th Company, AASC, Alexandria Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 12 June 1916. Detached to 4th Division Salvage Company, 26 July 1917; rejoined unit from detachment, 4 August 1917. Detached for duty with 11th Field Artillery Brigade, 3 September 1917; rejoined unit from detachment, 26 November 1917. Detached for duty with 11th Field Artillery Brigade, 17 November 1917; rejoined unit from detachment, 26 November 1917. Detached for duty with 7th Company, AASC, 5 December 1917; rejoined unit from detachment, 5 December 1917. On leave to Paris, 21 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 1 February 1918. Commenced return to Australia from Taranto, Italy, 8 October 1918; discharged, Melbourne, 31 January 1919. Total war service: 1606 days (of which 1505 days were abroad) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal Death attributed to War Service. |
| Date of death | |
| Place of burial | Williamstown Cemetery, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BURNS Robert Edward |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
