| Regimental number | 277 |
| Place of birth | Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Ireland |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Gardener |
| Address | 369 Liverpool Street, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 42 |
| Height | 5' 7.25" |
| Weight | 160 lbs |
| Next of kin | Brother, Peter Burns, Augha Common, By Lurgan, Co Armagh, Ireland |
| Previous military service | Served for 12 years in the Royal Field Artillery, British Army (time expired). |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | Machine Gun Company 14, Reinforcement 3 |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 24/19/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked, Sydney, 1 May 1916; transferred to Grantham from Machine Gun Training Depot, 21 August 1916; marched into Base Depot, Etaples, France, from England, 1 October 1916. Admitted to 26th General Hospital (sick), Calais, 19 October 1916; to England, 22 October 1916; admitted to Queen Mary's Hospital, England, 22 October 1916; discharged from Hospital, 11 November 1916, on furlough to report to Perham Downs Command Depot on, 27 November 1916; marched into No 3 Camp, Parkhouse, from Perham Downs Command Depot, 30 November 1916; taken on strength of 4th Divisional Machine Gun Company from 14th Machine Gun Company, 13 February 1917. Found guilty, 17 May 1917, of (1) whilst on active service being absent from 1:30 pm parade, 16 May 1917, until 2:45 pm, 16 May 1917: awarded 7 days' detention. Found guilty, 20 June 1917, of (1) whilst on active service being absent without leave from escort, 9:50 pm, until 3:50 pm, 13 June 1917: awarded 7 days' detention. Proceeded overseas to France from Southampton, 7 September 1917; appointed Lance Corporal, 11 October 1917. Admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance (gun shot wound right thigh), in the Field, France, 15 October 1917, to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, 16 October 1917; to 9th Red Cross Hospital, Calais, 16 October 1917; to England, 18 October 1917; admitted to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, England, 19 October 1917; marched into Sutton Veny Command Depot from Hospital, 5 December 1917; marched out to Weymouth Command Depot, 19 January 1918; marched into Weymouth Command Depot, 21 January 1918. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Durham Castle' for discharge (gun shot wound right thigh), 10 March 1918; disembarked, Sydney, 12 May 1918; discharged (medically unfit), Sydney, 9 October 1918. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Place of burial | Rookwood Necropolis |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, BURNS James |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
