BURGDORF, Herman Charles
| Service Number: | 1119 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 38th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Lamplough (near Avoca), Victoria, Australia, September 1892 |
| Home Town: | Hawthorn, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Driver |
| Died: | 22 November 1970, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Fawkner Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1119, 38th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1916: | Involvement Private, 1119, 38th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Jun 1916: | Embarked Private, 1119, 38th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Melbourne | |
| 19 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1119, 38th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD - wounding |
Help us honour Herman Charles Burgdorf's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Snake Valley & District Historical Society
Private Charles Herman Burgdorf (SRN 1119) was born in 1893, Lamplough (near Avoca) to August and Mary Anne Burgdorf.
Charles, aged 23, enlisted on the 9th of March, 1916 to 38th Battalion. He worked as an Apprentice Driver with Walter Murray, owner of a General Store in Snake Valley, before enlistment. His sister (her Christian name is unknown) taught at Snake Valley Primary School in the early 1900’s.
He was wounded in action on the 31st of August 1918 with a gunshot wound to head, and at the time was incorrectly reported to have been killed in action. On the 20th of November, 1918, Capt. Collins of the 38th Battalion informed Pte Burgdorf’s father of his son’s death and that he had died a few minutes after being placed on a stretcher. His personal effects were forwarded home.
On the 5th of January 1919, he left England to return to Australia on the ship Kanowna - incapacitated with gunshot wound injuries to the head, neck and shoulders. He arrived in Melbourne on the 7th of March.
8th May 1919 Pte Burgdorf’s family advised of the error and informed that their son was indeed alive.
17th November 1919 Pte Burgdorf made application for a free passage for his fiancé́ from England to the Commonwealth.
12th September 1923 base records advised that all particulars regarding Pte Burgdorf had been removed from Hem Park Military Cemetery by the Imperial War Graves Commission on 18th November 1920.
This particular soldier leaves us with so many questions – we are not aware of any living relatives. We would love to know more about what happened to Private Burgdorf after the war, and if his fiancée eventually came to Australia. If you are able to help with information we would love to hear from you.
Info from NAA & SVHS
Click images to start slideshow.