Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry Arthur Burden was born on 17th August 1915 in Balmain, New South Wales. His father, Henry "Harry", was 33 and his mother, Edith, was 27. Henry Arthur was known fondly as "John" to his family and later on as "Little Pop" to his grandchildren. He married Irene Violet Jones on 31st October 1936 in Leichhardt, New South Wales. They had five children during their marriage, four surviving to adulthood and they lived to see their 12 grandchildren born. Henry Arthur Burden was part of the Casualty Clearing Station during WW2 and he served in Papua New Guinea. He worked as a builder and a labourer, and also for Nestles as a storeman. Henry Arthur died on 15th October 1984 in Manly, New South Wales, at the age of 69, and was buried at Mona Vale Cemetery, New South Wales.

Military Service: Regimental # NX140121, Unit 111th Aust CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) during World War Two. Enlisted on the 16th of January 1942 at Area 36,Drill Hall, located on the corner of Hill and McKenzie Streets at Leichhardt, NSW. His description at the time is recorded as Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Distinctive Marks: Scar on right leg, Tattoo on right arm. Height: 5ft 5inch

Notified on the 14th April 1942 and then commenced duty on the 20th April 1942, in NSW. After spending nearly a month in hospital sick (15th Aug-10Sept 1942) he was entrained to Queensland. 12th July 1943 the 111th C.C.S. embarked per ship "Canberra" from Townsville, Queensland and arrived two days later at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. 28th Feb 1944 Irene Violet Burden (nee Jones) changed the family postal address to Wagstaff Post Office.

From 12th Dec 1943 until 8th June 1945 Henry served in Papua New Guinea. 20th March 1944 spent 4 days in hospital. Then 20th Feb 1945 Henry was experiencing abdominal pain the cause of which was not known and spent two days in care.

2nd June 1945 embarked per ship "Taroona" (?) from Madang and disembarked at Brisbane 6 days later. Then Henry returned to the 1st Australian Base Depot Personel in New South Wales before rejoining the 111th CCS on 17th Aug 1945. A month later Henry was hospitalised for eleven days with Malaria A. 10th Oct 1945 unit now NSW RR&Gdd, and still in NSW. 5th Dec 1945 beginning of demobilization. 19th December 1945 discharged due to demob. Full Time War Service a total of 1335 days, 637 days in Australia and 698 days overseas.