Frank Burke

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Mon, 08/01/2018 - 11:14

First Name:

Frank

Last Name:

Burke

Mother's Name:

Mary Burke nee Gahan

Father's Name:

Martin Burke

Date Enlisted:

Saturday, May 15, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Sergeant

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

19th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Place of Death:

Mullumbimby, N.S.W.

Details:

Frank Burke (Service No 1665) was born in Woodford, Ireland around 1887.

At enlistment Frank was single, 27 years old, and employed as a school teacher at Clifton, N.S.W. He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A61 Kanowna with 19th Battalion, 2nd Reinforrcement on 18th June 1915.

After arriving in Egypt, Frank was sent to Gallipoli. While serving there, he was became ill and was admitted to hospital on 6th October 1915.

On 25th February 1916 he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major.

Frank was then sent to France and arrived on 25th March 1916. He saw service on the Western Front and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the field on 19th August 1916 at Pozieres.

On 14th November 916 he was wounded in action and admitted to hospital for treatment of gun shot wounds to his right thigh and knee.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1st January 1917 but did not return to France. He was repatriated to Australia in September 1917 and after further treatment in Australia was discharged medically unfit with a pension on 16th March 1918.

In 1943 he married Lonas Fleming in Lismore, N.S.W.

Frank died in 1976. His service is commemorated in the 'Teacher's section, on the Corrimal Public School Honor Roll.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BURKE F