Gnr
Joseph Bird Burgess
Information about birth
Year of birth: 1892 |
Place of birth: Benalla, Victoria, Australia |
Army information
Country: Australia |
Force: Australian Imperial Force |
Rank: Gunner |
Service number: 11920 |
Enlistment date: 17/7/1915 |
Enlistment place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Units: — Australian Field Artillery, 53rd Bty. 14th Bde. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
Place of death: Polygoneveld, Belgium |
Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
Age: 25 |
Cemetery
The Huts Cemetery Plot: IX Row: C Grave: 8 |
Distinctions and medals 2
British War Medal Medal — 15/05/1922 |
Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
#1 | Place of birth | ||
#2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Gunner Joseph Bird Burgess served in the 53rd Battery, part of the 14th Field Artillery Brigade of the 5th Australian Division.
On October 4 1917, his unit took part in the Battle of Broodseinde. His brigade along with the 13th set up their guns between Polygoneveld and Westhoek. His brother, gunner Eric Burgess, served with him at the same gun. He ‘claimed’ his brother after he was wounded in Gallipoli and Pozières, France. He probably wanted his little brother by his side. They had to provide artillery support for the 2nd Australian Infantry Division.
The attack began with a heavy artillery barrage in the early morning. At about 7 am, the two artillery brigades were targeted by the German artillery. A German shell hit the ammunition of the gun and killed the entire crew of four soldiers, together with a soldier and an officer of another battery close by. Joseph and his brother died side-by-side and are buried next to each other at The Huts Cemetery.
On October 4 1917, his unit took part in the Battle of Broodseinde. His brigade along with the 13th set up their guns between Polygoneveld and Westhoek. His brother, gunner Eric Burgess, served with him at the same gun. He ‘claimed’ his brother after he was wounded in Gallipoli and Pozières, France. He probably wanted his little brother by his side. They had to provide artillery support for the 2nd Australian Infantry Division.
The attack began with a heavy artillery barrage in the early morning. At about 7 am, the two artillery brigades were targeted by the German artillery. A German shell hit the ammunition of the gun and killed the entire crew of four soldiers, together with a soldier and an officer of another battery close by. Joseph and his brother died side-by-side and are buried next to each other at The Huts Cemetery.
Connection to other soldiers 1
Eric Burgess
Brother |
Sources 9
"Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18 Vol. IV The A.I.F. in France 1917", C. E. W. Bean, Angus and Robertson Ltd., 1943, 839. Sources used |
"The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995, pg. 99. Sources used |
Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/ Sources used |
National Archives of Australia http://naa.gov.au/ Sources used |
The AIF Project https://aif.adfa.edu.au/aif/ Sources used |
The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
War Diary A.I.F. Headquarters, 14th Australian Field Artillery Brigade https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
War Diary A.I.F. HQ, 5th Australian Artillery Brigade https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |