| Regimental number | 609 |
| Place of birth | Parkes, New South Wales |
| School | Christian Brothers School, Waverley, New South Wales |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Quarryman |
| Address | 18 Read Street, Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23 |
| Height | 5' 10" |
| Weight | 154 lbs |
| Next of kin | Father, Patrick Burke, 18 Read Street, Waverley, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 30th Battalion, C Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/47/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A72 Beltana on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 30th Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Fleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles) |
| Age at death | 21.7 |
| Place of burial | Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery (Plot I, Row F, Grave No 3), Fromelles, Nord, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 116 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Patrick and Johanna BURKE, 'Lyra', Read Street, Waverley, New South Wales. Native of Parkes |
| Family/military connections | Cousin (1st): Sergeant TW O'CONNOR. |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Sydney, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 11 December 1915. Admitted to No 8 Field Ambulance, Serapeum, 4 January 1916 (varicocele); transferred to No 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Ismailia, 5 January 1916; to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Ghezireh, 8 January 1916; to Convalescent Depot, Helouan, 25 January 1916; discharged, 9 February 1916 (Class A). Proceeded to 30th Bn from 8th Training Bn, Zeitoun, 1 April 1916; taken on strength 30th Bn, Ferry Post, 1 April 1916. Found guilty, 8 May 1916, of being absent without leave from 0630 hours until 1730 hours, 4 May 1916: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2 and forfeits 1 day's pay by Royal Warrant. Found guilty, 13 May 1916, of being improperly dressed on parade: awarded 2 days' Field Punishment No 2. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Killed in action, 20 July 1916. Statement on Red Cross File No 631203 from 702 Pte LOTON, 5th Pioneer Bn, 21 June 1917: 'I saw his grave at Fleurbaix on the 21st July 1916 in the Military Cemetery which is near Pinny's Avenue. There is a cross over his grave with his name, number and Battalion on it. there are a number of other men of the 30th Btn. Australians buried there.' Originally listed as 'No known grave'; remains identified following discovery of a mass grave in 2009 Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BURKE William
Red Cross File No 631203 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
