BURGESS, John
| Service Number: | 522 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 April 1901, Onboard SS Templemore on the day of arrival at Port Elizabeth. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | 5 March 1880, place not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 522, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1901: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 522, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Onboard SS Templemore on the day of arrival at Port Elizabeth. | |
| 1 Apr 1901: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 522, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 137, notes he enrolled aboard SS Templemore on 1 April 1901, the day it arrived at Port Elizabeth. | |
| 5 May 1902: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 522, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 491 notes 5th QIB embarked at Cape Town 27 Mar 1902 aboard St Andrew returning to Australia arriving Brisbane 30 Apr 1902, disbanded 5 May 1902. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
Murray, in his compilation of the AWM Boer War Nominal Roll on p. 504 to 505, notes members of the 5th QIB who enrolled/enlisted in South Africa.
John Burgess enrolled in South Africa with the 5th QIB and as such was not recorded on the original nominal roll for the 5th Queensland (Imperial Bushmen) Contingent held by National Archives. He was however, recorded in the Boer War Service Paybooks of the 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 137, where it is noted he enrolled aboard the Templemore on 1 April 1901 the day the ship arrived at Port Elizabeth.
The paybooks note his contact details as care of Mrs. Elliot, 475 Bankside, North Quay, Brisbane. It appears, based on information in his Boer War Dossier held by National Archives, that he was from New South Wales and the address in the paybooks was where he was likely staying in Brisbane prior to embarking for South Africa.
There appears to be debate as to whether he returned to Australia on completion of his service. According to the Boer War Service Paybooks he served the full tour of the 5th QIB returning to Brisbane aboard St Andrew where he was discharged 5 May 1902. Similarly, newspapers of the day reporting on the return of the 5th Contingent have him listed among the men aboard.
National Archives holds a Boer War Dossire on John Burgess which relates to one item only, a letter to Central Army Records Office (CARO) from John's wife seeking details on his Boer war service history. The letter, dated 12 Jul 1962, states her husband enlisted in Brisbane and signed on in South Africa and turned 82 on 5th Mar last, and was signed Mrs. M. J. Burgess.
CARO in response noted they held a record for 522, Private John Burgess, who enrolled in South Africa on a date unknown. It further noted the unit returned to Brisbane on 30 Apr 1901 and was disbanded 5 May 1902, but it was unknown if he came back with the unit or not. It is unclear whether CARO were aware of the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, held by Qld State Archives, and the information contained within on enrollment date, and location and date of discharge.
Based on the information contained in the dossier it appears John Burgess was born on 5 Mar 1880, was a resident in NSW prior to enlisting, and was married.
(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 504; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier; National Archives Australia- B 5172 Nominal Roll of 5th Queensland (Imperial Bushmen) Contingent Queensland Defence Force for service in South Africa; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 137).