Military History

Burns enlisted with Artillery as a Private. Then was sent to Maribyrnong for Artillery Training.
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Barambah’ A34 for UK 27.6.1916
Roll Rank Gunner.
Roll Unit 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column, 1st Reinforcement.
Burns disembarked at Plymouth with the 1st Reinforcement 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column 25.8.1916. Then marched in to 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column Details Base and was appointed Driver 1.10.1916. Burns proceeded overseas to France with his unit 24.11.1916. He endured the harsh winter of 1916-7 on the Somme. He was disciplined for hesitating to obey a lawful command of a senior officer 27.8.1917. The 3rd Divisional Ammunition Column provided ammunition support to the Artillery and was involved in the Battle of Messines, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele. Burns was detached to the 8th Division Signal Company 3.11.1917 then transferred to the 3rd Division Artillery HQ 11.11.1917. He rejoined his unit 23.11.1917 and returned to the field. Burns was admitted to the 5th Field Ambulance with scabies, then transferred to the 7th Field Ambulance 7.3.1918. He returned to his unit 18.3.1918. He was hospitalized with Influenza 26.6.1918. At his request he was removed from the position of Driver and reinstated as Gunner in the 3rd Division Ammunition Column 29.8.1918. Burns returned to HQ England, from duty in France 12.2.1919. He was attached to Australian Army Pay Corps 17.2.1919. Burns was detached for or Personnel Duty on the Transport to Australia 11.8.1919 and promoted to Temporary Sergeant Voyage Only.
Embarked UK for Australia per ‘Anchises’ as pay staff 23.8.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Melbourne 5.10.1919.
Discharged 9.12.1919.
Final Rank 2nd Col. with DMTB Pay Roll.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos  SS 'Barambah'1923. Photographer F. G Wilkins, photograph source ANMM 000415322.
              Soldier walking in winter trench 1917. Photographer unknown, image courtesy AWM E0149              
              Ammunition packhorses, France, December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00090

Information Source
ANMM 000415322. SS 'Barambah'1923. Photographer F. G Wilkins, photograph source Australian National Maritime Museum
AWM E0149. Soldier walking in winter trench 1917. Photographer unknown,  photograph source from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00090. Ammunition packhorses, France, December 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Robert Burns
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Burns R 25384


North Road, West Guildford, WA.

Associated Images