Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Horace Sydney Burnett – By Sophie Kelly

Horace Sydney Burnett (Service number 3205) was born in Parratoo Station at Broken Hill in 1891.  Unfortunately, his exact birth date is not known. He grew up in a very religious Roman Catholic family at 75 Kensington Terrace, Norwood with his sister, Mary Ann Julia Murray (nee Burnett) and two other siblings. (Real estate 2017)

Horace lived a relatively normal life as a cook in Adelaide until 9 March 1916 when he enlisted in the Infantry. At this time, he was 25 years of age with a dark complexion, olive eyes and black dark hair. He weighed around 132 pounds and his chest measurement was 36.5 inches. He initially embarked on the HMAT Malakuta A57 on 27 June 1916 as a Private. He passed his strength and medical test and on 8 September 1916 and was placed into the 32nd Infantry Battalion. (The Australian War Memorial 2017)

After a long and tiresome trip, Horace embarked the HMT Ayrshire transport ship on 4 August 1916 heading for England. He fought with the Battalion until the 21 January 1917.  It appears that between 21 January 1917 and 30 January 1917 Horace was absent without leave (AWL) and as a result he spent 28 days in punishment and 137 days of pay taken away. (Troop Ships 2017)

On 9 February 1917 he headed to France with his Battalion on the SS Victoria. Unfortunately, he fell ill on 20 March 1917 and was hospitalised in France. Once he recovered he embarked on the HS Brighton Kailas bound for England on the 30 April 1917.  Sadly, he fell ill again and returned back to hospital in England on 1 May 1917.  He finally returned to his Battalion in France via South Hampton on 15 January 1918. (Hospital Ship 2017)

After finishing his years of service, Horace was granted a medal of Victory and returned to Australia on the 9 February 1919 after having served his country for 3 years and 58 days. When he returned back to Adelaide he married Mrs Olive Burnett and lived a happy life until sadly he passed away on the 28 May 1959 at the age of 69 years. (Victory Medal 2017)

He was buried at the Renmark cemetery in South Australia.

Since the 25th April 1915 the word Anzac has been a huge part of the Australian language. The Anzac spirit is the concept that Australian and New Zealand soldiers possessed qualities for their actions including ingenuity, good humour, larrikinism and mateship. As well as this concept the soldiers were perceived to have been innocent, fit, stoical and laconic. The Anzac spirit is also captured in the idea of Australian and New Zealand “national character”. (Anzac Spirit 2017)

The Anzac spirit is still remembered and relevant today, sharing the joy and celebration of our nation. Over the last 95 years the Anzac spirit has relatively stayed the same from when it all began in 1915. After serving their country for 8 months in Gallipoli the Anzac spirit took charge and become a badge of honour. In other words, the Anzac spirit is helping out your mates regardless the consequences that might face and knowing that your friend will do the same back to you. “Doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.” (Anzac Spirit 2017)