Charles Burns

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Fri, 27/10/2017 - 11:42

First Name:

Charles

Last Name:

Burns

Date of Birth:

Sunday, April 11, 1886

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, October 26, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

56th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Charles Burns (Service No 3480) stated he was born in Bulli, N.S.W.

At enlistment he was 29 years old, single, worked as a labourer and listed his sister Kate, of Bulli, N.S.W., as his next of kin.

Charles embarked on HMAT A60 Aeneas with the 20th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement, on 17th December 1915. After disembarking in Egypt, he was transferred to the 56th Battalion on 16th February 1916.

He arrived in France on 29th June 1916, and he saw service at Fromelles without any wounding being recorded. However soon after, he was in trouble for causing a disturbance. Charles was then admitted to hospital and invalided to England with shell shock on 3rd November 1916. He returned to France on 20th June 1917, but was admitted to hospital with neurasthenia on 26th September 1917. Charles was repatriated to Australia in November 1918, and discharged medically unfit on 18th February 1919.

On 21st January 1919 whilst at the Garrison Hospital, he was able to re-enlist and served with the Australian Navy and Military Expeditionary Force as Pte Burns (Service No 1734). Charles served in Rabaul, Papua & New Guinea, from 19th February until discharge on 14th October 1919.

On enlistment he stated he was born in Fitzroy, Victoria and listed an uncle Patrick Burns as his next of kin. He also listed his service with 56th battalion.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BURNS C