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Enlisted on his 18th Birthday

The Bendigo Independent newspaper published the following sad news item on November 12, 1917. 

IN MEMORIAM PTE DON BURNET

'In the White Hills Methodist Church last night the Rev. W. H. Holtham conducted a service in memory of the late Pte. Don. Burnet, who was killed in action in France "in the recent Australian" push on September 25.

This is the second such service within a month, the former being that of Pte. Hartley Roach. Both soldiers were fine fellows, and ardent supporters of the Sunday School by which body they were tendered a farewell and presentation when leaving for the front. The preacher delivered a most impressive sermon from the word: “For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall, find it." Luke 9:24. He paid great tribute to the sacrifices being made daily by those at the front and said that in their service they desired to pay a tribute to one from their own midst, and as it were, place at least a tiny wreath upon the grave of one whom they loved and honoured.  Donald Burnet was born in White Hills, and spent the whole of his short span of years in their midst. He was but a lad, being only 18 years old the day he enlisted, and 19 years and five months when he fell in the field of battle for his country's sake. His was a sunny disposition, which gave him the optimistic view he took of most things. He was a lad sound in body and pure in mind, and there came to him the call of his country, and on his eighteenth birthday he did what such as he must do when given the freedom to act. Such as 'he who feel the call off their country simply must go. The cause of honour and of right is to them the only call worth obeying, and they must obey. Painful though it was to get the sad news, that they had fallen, it would be more painful to know that when all that they hold dear is endangered they could refuse. With the application of his text that only he who gives his life really saves it, the preacher gave comfort to the bereaved family and all assembled. The anthems, "Who Are These" and "Weep No More," were rendered by the choir. The organist, Mr E. K. Chitlock, played the "Dead March at the close of the service. The church was nicely arranged with the flags and colors of the nation, as well as a touch of mourning.

Donald John Burnet enlisted on his eighteenth birthday on May 17, 1916. During the First World War, the Australian Army's enlistment age was 21 years or 18 years with the permission of a parent or guardian. 

Parents John and Aurelia Burnet of 192 White Hills Rd, would sign that  ‘Consent form’ enabling young Don to join the AIF.  Young Don, listed his occupation as a plumber declaring he had finished a 4 year apprenticeship to Bickford & Burnet of Mundy St, Bendigo. 

It appears the Burnet family were keen members of the White Hills Methodist church. Twenty four young men from that church congregation would enlist and fight in the war with three not returning.  Don Burnet’s friends Hartley Roach and Les Phillips would also be killed on the western front in the months that followed.

 Earlier records of the Bendigo Independent newspaper going back to June 25, 1915 demonstarte that a young 16 year old Don is listed as a performer at a church hall event where over 50 attendees signed the Kitchener Pledge cards to refrain from alcohol for the duration of the war. The abstinence campaign had obviously gained momentum among Methodist communities taking the lead from the British campaign supporting Lord Kitchener’s campaign to reduce the consumption of alcohol by troops at home and abroad. 

Don’s age on enlistment would prove a problem later that year on when he reaches France. He along with a number of other 18 year old soldiers are marched out of France on December 27, 1917 and shipped back to England considered ‘under age personnel’ by the British authorities. Upon reaching the age of 19 that would be allowed to return the front. 

So young Don would spend the winter back of 1917 back in England training at Perham Downs near Weymouth not returning to the front until May 19, 1917 where he proceeds back to France from the east coast port of Folkestone.

Don record shows he is ‘taken on strength’ in his 4th reinforcements for the 60th battalion on Anzac Day April 25, 1917.

Don was probably very fortunate to be back in England because of his age, as the 60th Battalion had taken part in the battle of Fromelles in 1916 which was a disaster for the battalion. In a single day, it was virtually wiped out, suffering 757 casualties. These losses meant the battalion saw little further offensive action for the rest of that 1916 year. 

Don and other new recruits (reinforcements) who also included his mate Les Phillips from White Hills participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917.  The 60th were called upon to defend gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt, Northern France in early May 1917. The British General Hubert Gough described the battles as ‘being of great assistance’ to the main offensives at Arras. The ‘great assistance’ cost 10,000 Australian casualties.                                                                  

On the other side of this battle was German Crown Prince Rupprecht said on the 5th of May “according to unanimous descriptions from the front, the English troops show themselves far less tough to repulse than formerly, with the exception of the Canadians and the Australians, who are, on all sides, praised for their bravery and skill in making use of ground”. The British staff college used these battles after the war as examples of how NOT to plan an attack.

Later in the 1917 year, the AIF's focus of operations switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium. The 60th's major battle here was at Polygon Wood in September. The name "Polygon Wood" is derived from a young plantation forest that lay along the AIF axis of advance. A major attack was scheduled to begin on September 26, however, a day earlier a German attack on the British X Corps to the south of First AIF Division nearly derailed the whole plan. Australian troops of the 15th Brigade, preparing for their attack, took part in fending off the Germans. It appears this battle may have been where young nineteen year old Don Burnet was 'Killed in Action'.

There are a number of Red Cross records concerning Don Burnet’s death.

Six months later in March 1918 Sergeant J. Tobin of the 60th Battalion would give the following witness in a hand wriiten letter to a Miss Deakin who had enuired of the Don's death 'Private Burnet was killed instantly by a shell in the early afternoon of the 25.9.1917.  We were moving up to attack and had dug in behind a line of pill boxes on the far side of Glencorse wood (near Ypres) when we came under heavy and incessant shell fire from the enemy. Pte Burnet was, I think, one of our first casualties. He was buried behind the pill boxes by Lt. Parker of this battalion and myself. Lt Parker read the burial before he was buried. All personal effects were forwarded to his next of kin, as far as I know, Lt Parker (since killed) wrote to his people. - Letter from Sgt John Tobin 2525, 05/03/18

 In the same Red Cross document, Private G R Holden formerly of the 60th told W. Alison of the Red Cross - 'I saw him dead, killed by a piece of shell which hit under the right ear. Lived only a half minute. I helped to bury him on the spot at Polygon Wood, just as we got through Glencorse wood. Very small chap, we used to call him ‘Little Tich’ . One of the best of lads, just back from the hospital.' - Informant – Holden G. R 2693, Now 12th , Formerly of the 60th. Anzac Buffet  18/02/18 

Donald John Burnet is proudly remembered by the people of White Hills and his name is embossed in a copper plague on the White Hills Arch of Triumph at the entrance of the Botanic Gardens along with 63 other sons of the area.