Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

BURNARD Richard De Garis MB BS FRACR

1911 - 2008

Richard De Garis Burnard was born on 3rd February 1911, in Naracoorte, South Australia. His parents were Renfrey Gersom Burnard, a medical practitioner who served in WWI, and Selena Victoria, nee De Garis. He was educated at Prince Alfred College, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1937.  Burnard married Esta Osmond Goldsack on the 9th September 1937, at the Methodist Church Malvern. She was the daughter of Charles Glen Goldsack and Julia Georgina, nee Attrill.

Burnard joined the AAMC as a captain, on 26th June 1940.  He served in Alice Springs and at Banka Banka, NT, and undertook training in Tropical Medicine. Banka Banka station, is a 100 kilometre north of Tennant Creek in NT, and was a supply depot during the war. The station provided meat, eggs, fruits and vegetables to the district and the military. He was seconded to the 2/AIF, on 1st July 1941, at Wayville, and was initially posted to 9 AGH. Burnard was appointed to the reinforcements sent to the Middle East aboard the Queen Mary, where he joined the 2/1st AGH at Gaza Ridge on 16th October 1941. He was informed that his daughter was born on 25th October 1941. He returned to Western Australia with the unit in 1942 as part of the “Stepsister” movement returning the 1 Aust Corps after Japan entered into the war. He attended a course in specialist radiology before being sent to PNG, on 13th September 1943. During his time in PNG he had, like others, many attachments to various units including; HQ PNG Force, 2/1 AGH and finally 2/6th FdAmb in September 1943. He was appointed company commander 2/6th FdAmb, on 8th January 1944.  He returned to Australia, in April 1944, and undertook further training in radiology in Sydney and then posted as MO to 113 AGH, Concord, NSW.  He was promoted major on 22nd November 1944. Burnard was posted to 2/12 AGH Balikpapan, Borneo as a radiologist on 9th July 1945, and returned to Australia on 1st December 1945. He was discharged from the Army on 21st December 1945, and placed on the Reserve of Officers in 4 MD. Burnard retired from the military on 28th February 1966.

Burnard was an honorary consultant radiologist at the RAH after the war. He gained his Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Radiology. He was a Member of the AMA. His wife, Esta died in 1981 and Richard de Garis Burnard, died on 10th November 2008.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD