Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland”
 

Alan Cecil Burbury was born at Oatlands, Tasmania on 13th March, 1894 to parents Arthur Henry & Fanny Rowell Burbury (nee Hood).

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 26th August, 1914 as a 20 year old, single, Farmer from Charlton, Ross, Tasmania. Alan Burbury stated on his Attestation Papers that he had served for 2 ½ years with Light Horse & was still serving.

On 26th August, 1914 Sergeant Burbury was posted to 3rd Light Horse Regiment “C” Squadron.

Sergeant Alan Cecil Burbury, Service number 380, embarked from Hobart, Tasmania on HMAT Geelong (A2) on 20th October, 1914 with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment “C” Squadron.

He proceeded to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at Gallipoli on 9th May, 1915.

Sergeant Burbury reported sick on 3rd September, 1915. He was admitted to Hospital at Malta on 10th September, 1915 with Gastritis (as per handwritten version of the Casualty Form – Active Service, however the typed version of Casualty Form – Active Service recorded he had Neuralia). Sergeant Burbury embarked from Malta on 16th October, 1915 for England on Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle with Gastritis.

On 23rd October, 1915 Sergeant Burbury was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London, England with Dysentery.

He was transferred to Supernumerary List of N.C.O.’s with 3rd Light Horse Regiment on 28th December, 1915.

Sergeant Burbury was returned from England with No. 17 Draft (no date recorded).

On 1st March, 1916 Sergeant Burbury was taken on strength of 1st L.H.R.R. (Light Horse Reserve Regiment) at Heliopolis.

He was transferred to Anzac Police Corps Headquarters on 4th April, 1916 & was to be attached to HQ. Police (M.M.P.) at Tel-el-Kebir from 17th April, 1916.

Sergeant Burbury was transferred to 3rd Light Horse Unit Details at Moascar on 2nd December, 1916 from Police Headquarters.

On 7th December, 1916 Sergeant Burbury was transferred to 3rd Light Horse Regiment. He was taken on strength of 3rd Light Horse Regiment on 18th December, 1916 at El Arish from Details.

Sergeant Alan Cecil Burbury was wounded in action on 9th January, 1917 at Battle of Rafa. He was transferred to Supernumerary List of N.C.O.’s on 9th January, 1917 on being evacuated wounded. Sergeant Burbury was admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance on 12th January, 1917 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to Chest then transferred to Hospital Train. Sergeant Burbury was admitted to 24th Stationary Hospital on 12th January, 1917 then transferred to 31st General Hospital at Port Said on 13th January, 1917 with G.S.W. to back.

The Medical Case Sheet for Sergeant Alan Cecil Burbury dated 13th January, 1917 at 31st General Hospital recorded his “disease” as “G.S.W. Spine & Chest Left side (Injury to Cord).” “Wounded at Rafa Jan 11th. Admitted Jan 13th. On Admission Wound of entry. R side of Back at level of 9th rib in line with angle of scapula. Wound of Exit. 1” below and external to L nipple. Wounds small and clean. Haemothorax on L side – dullness to level of 3rd rib. Retention of Urine – Bead of pus noticed at uretas. Catheter passed – zxx urine evacuated. Incontinence of Faeces. Patient complains of abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing. Paralysis of lower part of body and of lower limbs. Band of Hyperaesthesia above l__it of complete paralysis.”

The Medical Case Sheet for Sergeant Alan Cecil Burbury for 8th August, 1917 reads: “Since the last entry patient has remained in same condition. The haemothorax gradually cleared up and the chest became resonant all over. The abdominal pain has continued throughout and is referred sometimes to one situation and sometimes to others. It is very severe and necessitates the administration of Morphia – patient has up to gr 3 ½ in gr ¼ doses during 24 hrs. The lower bowel is washed out twice daily from which relief is obtained. Retention of urine continues, and catheter is passed three times in 24 hours. Urine contains pus cells. Patient has had ___ urotropine throughout and bladder washed out with warm boracic lotion each time catheter is passed. The Bed sore over the sacrum presents the same appearance as it did 6 months ago. It has been treated with Hot formentations Eusol dressings and the ointment. Paralysis of lower limbs as on admission. Diet has been light throughout consisting mainly of milk, broths of various kinds, eggs, chicken (boiled), fish. Patient often vomits after food. Occasionally patient has a rise of temperature lasting two or three days. No obvious cause otherwise his temperature is normal.”

Sergeant Burbury was reported to be still dangerously ill at 31st General Hospital at Port Said on 1st September, 1917. He was transferred to Hospital Ship Khyber for passage to England on 1st September, 1917 & sailed on 3rd September, 1917.

He was admitted to a Private Nursing Home at 223 Westcombe Hill, near Wembley Hill, Blackheath, England on 19th December, 1917. He was listed as dangerously ill.

On 25th October, 1918 Sergeant Burbury was still in Hospital. “No action till patient is fit to move.”

Sergeant Alan Cecil Burbury died on 30th April, 1919 at the residence of Mrs Thurling, 51 Charlton Road, Blackheath, London, England from Septic Poisoning of the Spine (after wounds received in action).

He was buried in Greenwich Cemetery, Shooters Hill, London, England – Plot number 3 “C”. Z. 60 and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

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

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/-greenwich.html