Born on 28 January 1885 in Canada - son of John F. and Mary Ann Burke, Ottawa, Ontario - enlistment records provide the following: trade as labourer, single, no current or previous military service, Roman Catholic, height of 5 feet 4.5 inches, chest of 35 inches fully expanded, swarthy complexion, hazel eyes, light brown hair.Joined the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, on 13 February 1915 (number 410045) - served with the 38th Battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 15 October 1916 - buried in Pozières British Cemetery (grave III.T.21), France.
(Updated with an image of Pte Burke's headstone in Pozières Cemetery that I took in August 2012).
(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)
Hello Ken,
ReplyDeleteAllan John Burke (410045) who served in the 38th was my great uncle.
I have his medals and number of photographs including one of his grave site at Pozières British Cemetery in France taken in 1916. (All wooden crosses at that time.)
Thank you for the blog.
Regards,
Ed Tink
Ottawa, ON