Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sister Grace Burns, Associate of the Royal Red Cross, and trained nurse Inspector for the city of Unley, South Australia, Is on a fortnight's visit to Sydney. It was for distinguished service with the A.I.F., practically right through the war, that Sister Burns was awarded the Royal Red Cross. Proceeding to Egypt in 1914, she returned to Australia in 1919. Sister Burns is a daughter of Mr.Robert Burns, editor of "The Register," Adelaide.

The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 06 August 1925 page 8

Sister Grace H Burns is the third daughter of Mr. Robert Burns (of the literary staff of the Register). She was trained at the Adelaide Hospital under Miss Graham, and subsequently engaged in her profession privately. So soon as the war started she volunteered for nursing duties at the front. In Egypt she was one of the nurses to received the first shipment of sounded men from the famous fights on the Gallipoli Peninsula. With others, she was mentioned in despatches for arduous duties faithfully performed. After 18 months at Mena, Heliopolis, and elsewhere, she returned to Adelaide on a transport, and then for a few months she was at the meningitis hospital at North Adelaide. Next she was sent to England in the Ballarat (afterwards torpedoed), but after a few weeks there she was transferred via the Mediterranean to Egypt, where she has since been for more than two years continuously.

Observer Newspaper

Born 09 May 1887 at Unley, SA
Daughter of Robert William BURNS & Letitia nee GRAHAM
Of Park Street, Unley
Graduated RAH 1912
Occupation prior to enlistment Certificated Nurse at Adelaide General Hospital
Enlisted 11 March 1916 at Heliopolis, Egypt
Served in Egypt

Awarded Royal Red Cross 2nd Class 01 January 1919

London Gazette dated 01 January 1919 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your daughter, Sister G H Burns, Australian Army Nursing Services.
“HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Royal Red Cross to the undermentioned lady of the Nursing Service in recognition of her valuable services with the British Forces in Egypt:- Sister Grace Helena Burns.
Embarked at Port Said for United Kingdom per ‘Ormonde’ 24 February 1919 then Egypt 09 April 1919
Returned to Australia per ‘Borda’ 11 May 1919

Resided at Killicoat St., North Unley 18 January 1922 when received British War Medal
Died 03 March 1967 at home at Goodwood, SA
Aged 79 years
Resided 'Dunbar' 7 Victoria Street, Goodwood, SA
Buried Centennial Park Cemetery General AF 14 692