Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK
 
Died on this date - 17th October.....Corporal George Burns was born around 1891 to mother – Mary Burns. He stated on his Attestation Papers that he was born at Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW however, information proved by his friend for the Roll of Honour states he was born in Victoria.

George Burns enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 21st August, 1915 as a 24 year old Postal Assistant with G.P.O. & living at Newtown, Sydney, NSW.

Private Burns was posted to Camp with 11th Reinforcements of 3rd Battalion on 6th September, 1915. He was transferred to Australian Postal Unit on 28th October, 1915 & embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on RMS Medina on 2nd November, 1915 with the Army Field Post Office Details – Post Corps.
Private Burns was admitted to Hospital in Cairo on 17th January, 1916 with ear trouble & discharged to duty on 2nd February, 1917.

Private George Burns was promoted to Corporal on 8th March, 1916.

Corporal Burns was admitted to Hospital at Ismalia on 22nd June, 1916 with Otitis Media. He was discharged & posted to A.I.F. Headquarters then transferred to England where he was posted to A.A.S.C. Training Depot at Parkhouse, Wiltshire.

Corporal Burns was hospitalised at 1st A.D.H. (Australian Dermatological Hospital) Bulford, Wiltshire from 9th February, 1917 then transferred to Parkhouse on 1st March, 1917 & discharged 14th May, 1917.

Corporal Burns was posted to Postal Service at Salisbury, Wiltshire from Headquarters, London on 21st May, 1917. He was transferred to No. 2 (B) Group, Rollestone, Wiltshire for duty in Field Post Office on 1st July, 1917.

Corporal George Burns died around 7 am on 17th October, 1917 at Field Post Office, Fovant, Wiltshire from a gunshot wound to roof of the mouth.

A court of Enquiry was held (see full report in my research on the website) & "they are of opinion that the said Corpl. Burns died from the effects of a gun shot wound in the roof of the mouth, that a bullet fired from a service pattern revolver caused the said wound and that the shot causing the death of the said Cpl. G. Burns was fired by No. 34 Cpl. G. Burns of the A.A.P.C."

Extract of Newspaper article in Corporal Burns’ Service Record file from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal and General Advertiser – 20th October, 1917:
AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER’S SUICIDE

The suicide of an Australian soldier named George Burns, a Corpl. attached to the Postal Corps, and stationed at the Field Post Office Fovant, was the subject of an inquest held at the Fovant Military Hospital on Thursday by the Coroner for South Wilts. (Mr F. H. Trethowan). Deceased who was 25 years of age, came from New South Wales. – Bombardier L. H. Tolliday Postal Corps, A.I.F. stationed at Field Post Office Fovant said the deceased was stationed at the same Office. On Monday deceased said to him “If anything happens, or they do anything to me write to this address” and he handed him a slip of paper.

Witness knew he had refused to obey an order and thought he might get into some trouble, but as he was busy he didn’t take any notice. He knew the deceased was moving to another station, and deceased told him it was unfair to move him.

About 7 a.m. on Wednesday deceased entered the Post Office and said he had come for his brushes. He seemed quite normal. He went from the sleeping room into the Office, which was empty. Shortly afterwards he heard a sharp report. Corpl. Basset who was with him went into the room and they found the deceased lying dead near the stove, on the floor, with a revolver near his feet. Medical aid was sent for. The revolver had been supplied to the Post Office where it was kept.

About the end of July a great friend of deceased’s went to France, and he was very upset and wept about it and seemed to feel it very much. Another friend of his went to France on Friday evening, and deceased spoke to him about it and seemed rather upset. Replying to foreman, witness said the deceased had not served overseas. He was not weakminded, but very sensitive. Pte E. P. Benson A.I.F. attached to the Postal Corps, Fovant stated that in August the decease told him he would blow his brains out.

Witness understood he was upset because a friend of his had gone to France. Witness got him out of the way and then went to the Office and took the cartridges from the office revolver and gave them to the last witness. Shortly afterwards deceased said he would blow his brains out, and witness told him he could not shoot himself with an empty revolver. Later he wanted to know who had removed the cartridges.

He stormed and raved about it and witness told him he would get the cartridges in the morning. He was sober at the time. Usually deceased was cheerful, but for quite a week after his friend went away he was upset. Another friend left just before he killed himself, and he seemed upset about this. Capt. E. Huntley R.A.M.C. Fovant Military Hospital, said the deceased was brought to the Hospital about 7.40 a.m. on Wednesday. Death was due to injuries to the head caused by a revolve bullet.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity.”

Corporal George Burns was buried in St George’s Churchyard, Fovant, Wiltshire, England where 43 other WW1 Australian Soldiers are buried.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/a---g.html
(Photos courtesy of Andrew Stacey)