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49th Bn. (formerly 40th Bn.). Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

He was 21 and the son of John and Mary A. Burns, of Wyena, Tasmania.

Deaths Jun 1918   Burns John 21 St.Albans 3a 757
 

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date – 22nd April…… John William Easton Burns was born at Wyenna, Lilydale, Tasmania on 23rd May, 1896.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 31st March, 1916 at Claremont, Tasmania as a 20 year old, single, Labourer from Lilydale, Tasmania.

Private John William Easton Burns, Service number 791, embarked from Hobart, Tasmania on HMAT Berrima (A35) on 1st July, 1916 with the 10th Infantry Brigade, 40th Infantry Battalion “D” Company & disembarked at Devonport, England on 22nd August, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

On 14th October, 1916 Private Burns proceeded overseas from 7th Training Battalion in England on 14th October, 1916 to join 26th Battalion (as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service & Statement of Service form). He was marched in to 2nd Divisional Base at Etaples, France on 16th October, 1916. Private Burns was posted to 26th Battalion then transferred & taken on strength of 49th Battalion in the Field on 1st November, 1916. (Some forms have date as 1st December, 1916)

He had the letter “A” added to his Regimental number – 791 to 791A (owing to duplication of Regimental numbers)

Private John William Easton Burns was wounded in action on 7th June, 1917. He was admitted to 77th Field Ambulance on 7th June, 1917 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) multiple then transferred to 53rd Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Private Burns was transferred & admitted to New Zealand Hospital at Hazebrook on 8th June, 1917 with G.S.W to Head, Legs, Arms & thigh. He was transferred the same day to 7th General Hospital at St. Omer. Private Burns was transferred on 30th July, 1917 ready for transfer to England then on 31st July, 1917 he embarked on Hospital Ship St. David for England.

He was admitted to King George Military Hospital, Stamford Street, London, England on 31st July, 1917 with G.S.W. Head – severe. The Hospital Admissions form recorded “Notes from France. Wounded June 7/17. Wounds extensor aspect Rt Leg, Face, Back, Forearm & Lt Scalp. X-ray – Rt Ankle no F.D. present, but I think there has been injury to the lower 1/3 of Tibia, probably F.B. has penetrated the bone. Lt elbow No F.B. ? partial fract post surface condyle at humerus. Head ? fracture Lt supra orbital ridge, inner angle small F.B. over nasal bones.

Operation – F.B. removed. Wounds healed. Trans to Aust Hospl.”  (Note: F.B. = Foreign body)

On 12th September, 1917 Private Burns was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset, England  from Furlough. He was transferred to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, Wiltshire on 5th October, 1917. Private Burns was medically classified as B1 A4 (fit for Overseas Training Camp when passed dentally fit) on 6th October, 1917 while posted at No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott, Wiltshire – “All wounds healed & feels fit except for a little stiffness in left arm”. He was still medically classified as B1 A4 on 15th November, 1917 & again on 8th December, 1917.

Private Burns was marched out to Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire on 19th January, 1918 from No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott.

A trial for proceedings of a Court Martial was held on 8th March, 1918 for 791 Private J. W. E. Burns, 49th Battalion. Sentenced to “N.G.” (no other information listed)

He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 13th March, 1918 from Sandhill Camp, Overseas Training Brigade. He was marched in to 4th A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre, France on 14th March, 1918. Private Burns proceeded from 4th A.I.B.D. on 15th March, 1918 & rejoined 49th Battalion in the Field on 18th March, 1918.

Private John William Easton Burns was wounded in action (2nd occasion) on 5th April, 1918. He was admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance on 6th April, 1918 with GSW (gunshot wound/s) to Arm (fractured) then transferred on the same day to Casualty Clearing Station. Private Burns was transferred to 18th U.S.A. Hospital at Camiers on 7th April, 1918. He was transferred to England on 17th April, 1918 on Hospital Ship Ville de Liege.

On 19th April, 1918 Private Burns was admitted to County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans, England  with multiple wounds to left Arm (as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service). He was reported to be dangerously ill.

Private John William Easton Burns died at 11 am on 22nd April, 1918 at County of Middlesex War Hospital, Napsbury, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England from wounds – shell wound to right Arm & Haemorrhage.

He was buried in Hatfield Road Cemetery, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England – Grave no. A 5 Soldiers’ Corner where 16 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/st-albans---hatfield-road.html