Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Robert Burrett

By Jaida Carver

James Robert Burrett was a participant of the 10th Battalion at first. The 10th battalion was raised in just a few weeks after declaration of war in August 1914. Two months later, The Battalion then embarked for overseas. James brought with him a small kit bag with a pipe and a brush inside. After a quick stop in Albany in Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving in early December. The 10th Battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC position, and served there until the evacuation in December.

On the 28th of February 1916, James Robert was taken on strength from the 27th battalion. After joining the 27th Battalion, they continued their way to France as part of the 2nd Australian Division. On the 7th of April 1916, the 27th Battalion entered the front-line trenches for the first time, and took part in its first major battle at Pozieres between the 28th of July and the 5th of August. James Robert Burrett was then unfortunately killed in action in France, on the 23rd of August in 1916. The 2nd Division then returned to the south in October after a spell in a quieter sector of the front in Belgium. The 27th Battalion took part in two attacks to the east of Flers in the Somme Valley, both of which floundered in the mud. After everything that James fought through, he was given 2 medals for his efforts. He won a British War Medal, and a Victory Medal.

James Burrett was born in London, England. Before the war began, he was known as a gardener. He had a Brother named Robert E. Burret, who lived in Gordonville, Rosette Street in Victoria. James was never married and had no children. He was 1.64 metres tall and weighed 52 kilograms. James was also known to have blue eyes and brown hair. Going from being someone as simple as a gardener to being a soldier in the war is such a dramatic change in life and this is definitely something to appreciate. Not only did James go through a major change in life, but many other soldiers went through the exact same thing. Leaving your family knowing you may never return, training for months on end, and travelling by boat for long periods of time, knowing that your absolute worst nightmare is just ahead of you.

James Burrett fought in the Western Front. Life fighting in the Western Front would be everyone's worst nightmare. No matter how realistic their training was, nothing could have prepared them for the devastation of the Western Front. Four years of war had left the battlefront so churned up by shells and trenches that it looked like the surface of the moon. Poison gas had also killed most of all vegetation, therefore, shortening their food supply.

Soldiers were equipped with a variety of weapons, including the grenade. The grenade was the primary weapon for the solider. The hand grenade is an old weapon.  The armies found that the hand grenade was suited for trench combat, as it was a great way to take out a big number of soldiers without requiring precision. Some grenades were homemade, and called "Jam Pots." They were sometimes made from old tin cans.

The machine gun was another weapon of trench warfare and, often, the weapon we imagine when thinking of World War I. Assaulting the enemy became much more difficult because of these weapons. In addition to the machine gun there were snipers, used by highly accurate marksmen as a one shot one kill method. Although not necessarily thought of as weaponry, barbed wire was an important part of trench warfare. It slowed down the enemy in crossing the battlefield, and was important defensive equipment. This slowed the enemy advancing fast towards them. One other piece of deadly equipment used in World War One is gas, some types include, mustard gas and chlorine gas. This was used to kill large amounts of people. The gas would not kill instantly but would harm the soldier’s respiratory system.  Some soldiers hated the war so much, that if they wanted to get out, the only way they could do so was an injury. Soldiers sometimes hoped for a wound, and some even took the matter into their own hands, soldiers would sometimes shoot themselves in the hope of getting out of war. This was a capital offense, and for some countries, a man might face execution for this crime.

There was limited food during the time of world war one and soldiers did not have the luxury of hot meals very often. They had little variety in food, which mostly came in tins or cans. At most times soldiers had to rely on what they had, typically salted meat and stale crackers.

James Robert Burrett reflects the ANZAC spirit just like any other soldier who served at war. All soldiers have a true dedication to serving for their country and reflects the power of sacrifice. Fighting in war and putting your own life at high risk for your country is one of the most courageous things human can do and these soldiers, including James, are a perfect example of that.