Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Arthur John Burden (1881–1950)

Born: 1881 – Oxford, England

Died: 26 July 1950 – Myrtle Bank, South Australia

Buried: Dudley Park Cemetery, Section TAK, Path 15, Site 0190

Early Life

Arthur John Burden was born in 1881 at Oxford, England, the son of William Burden. He spent his formative years in England and later travelled abroad to work in the British colonies. By the time of the First World War, Arthur had made his way to East Africa, where he joined the ranks of colonial military service.

Following the war, Arthur emigrated to South Australia, where he established himself as a farmer and labourer. By the 1920s he had settled in the Adelaide area, working steadily in industrial trades typical of returning servicemen of his era.

Marriage and Family

On 6 May 1931, at the Registry Office in Adelaide, Arthur married Edith Emily Winifred May Handley (née Vickers), the widow of Charles Handley. Edith brought three children from her previous marriage—Edith Mary, Peggy Joan, and Charles James Handley—and she and Arthur went on to have two more children together, including Christina Charlotte Burden (1932–1998), later the wife of Robert Durley Hill (1924–2001).

The family lived at 30 Westbury Street, Hackney.

Military Service

World War I – British Army

Arthur enlisted in the British Army during the First World War, serving as a Corporal in both the East African Mounted Rifles (Regimental No. 554) and the East African Labour Corps (Regimental No. 5583). He saw active service in the East African campaign, supporting British and Commonwealth operations across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika between 1914 and 1918.

His medal entitlement and service details are confirmed through the UK National Archives, Medal Index Card (WO 372/3/174215).

Further confirmation appears in the British War Medal and Victory Medal Roll (WO 329/2441, p.312), which lists him as Corporal Arthur John Burden, East African Labour Corps. He was entitled to both the British War Medal and Victory Medal, issued from Nairobi in May 1923, confirming his recognised service in the East African theatre of war.

Pre-War Militia Service (Australia)

Before re-enlisting for World War II, Arthur served in the Australian Militia (Citizen Military Forces). He enlisted on 10 May 1933 at Kensington, South Australia, under service number 27679, claiming to be 39 years old (he was about 52). He was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 146 pounds, with 6/6 vision, and listed his occupation as labourer.

Arthur served primarily with the 10th Battalion (Militia) and later the Australian Army Ordnance Corps, re-engaging for further terms in 1936 and 1939. His Militia service lasted approximately six years, maintaining his connection to the armed forces between the wars.

World War II – Australian Army

In April 1941, Arthur again volunteered for military service—this time with the Australian Military Forces. He enlisted at Keswick, South Australia, on 5 April 1941 under the number S16672, giving his date of birth as 9 December 1893 and birthplace as Oxford, England—an adjustment likely made to meet the enlistment age limit.

At the time, he lived with his wife Edith at 14 Edsall Street, Norwood, and was employed as a labourer. He joined the 4th Special Service Training Company, later transferring to the 6th Military District Ordnance Depot and other logistic units.

His service record describes him as 5 feet 11 inches tall, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He served domestically throughout the war, contributing to ordnance and training operations, before being discharged on 12 August 1943 at Wayville, declared "Medically Unfit for Further Service."

His full-service file is preserved in the National Archives of Australia (Series B884, Item S16672), including his enlistment oath, service and casualty forms, and discharge certificate.

Later Years and Passing

Arthur spent his final years in Adelaide, residing for a time at the Soldiers' Home, Myrtle Bank, a residence for veterans and senior citizens. He passed away there on 26 July 1950, aged 68.

His death notice appeared in The Advertiser (27 July 1950):

BURDEN – On July 26, at Soldiers' Home, Myrtle Bank, Arthur John Burden, loved husband of Edith Burden, of 30 Westbury Street, Hackney, and loving father of Christa and Bob; also, stepfather of Mary, Peggy and Charlie; aged 68 years. At rest.

Arthur was buried at Dudley Park Cemetery, Section TAK, Path 15, Site 0190, alongside his wife Edith, who survived him by sixteen years.

Family

Arthur and Edith Burden were the parents of Christina Charlotte Burden (1932–1998), who married Robert Durley Hill (1924–2001). Christina was born in Adelaide and died in Geelong, Victoria, later interred at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia.

Arthur was also stepfather to Edith's three children from her first marriage:

Edith Mary Handley (b. 1918)
Peggy Joan Handley (b. 1925)
Charles James Handley (b. 1927)

Legacy

Arthur John Burden's life reflects service, resilience, and quiet strength. His career spanned three phases of military and civil dedication — the East African campaigns of World War I, the Australian Militia between wars, and the home-front service of World War II.

He stands as a symbol of the generation that bridged the British Empire and modern Australia, leaving behind a family deeply connected to that heritage.

References and Archival Sources

The Advertiser (Adelaide), Death Notice, 27 July 1950 – obituary and family details.
South Australian BDM Indexes – Marriage, 6 May 1931, Arthur John Burden & Edith Emily Winifred May Handley (née Vickers).
F.T. Elliott Funeral Records 1897–1997, Fiche No. 92 – Dudley Park Cemetery interment record.
Dudley Park Cemetery Register – Section TAK, Path 15, Site 0190 (Arthur & Edith Burden).
UK National Archives, Medal Index Card, WO 372/3/174215 – East African Mounted Rifles & East African Labour Corps (WWI).
UK National Archives, British War Medal & Victory Medal Roll, WO 329/2441, p.312 – Medal entitlement confirmation (issued Nairobi, 1923).
National Archives of Australia, Series B884, Item S16672 – WWII Service Record, Australian Military Forces.
National Archives of Australia, Series A8877, Item 15747062 – Record of Birthplace & Nationality.
Australian Militia Service Records – Enlistment 10 May 1933, Service No. 27679, 10th Battalion (Citizen Military Forces).
South Australian Birth Index, Christina Charlotte Burden, 7 Oct 1932, Adelaide.
Find a Grave Index, Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia (Christina Hill).

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 13/10/2025