Aug 7, 1891

Born in Dublin, Ireland

May 22, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion in Lindsay, Ontario

Ø      Number 454338

Ø      Next of kin given as John Burke, brother, 18 Mount Joy Square, Dublin, Ireland

o       There is also a note to notify Dr. McCullogh, uncle, at the same address

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company 

The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, in Kingston

A pay assignment was made to Miss Florence Abbott, fiancé, box 826 Lindsay, Ontario, but this was cancelled on August 1, 1916 when the engagement was broken off.

Sep 1, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Corporal

Apr 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the Bordon Camp to continue training.

This same day he was appointed to the rank of Lance Sergeant

May 29, 1916

Proceeded on the PT & FB Course (Physical Training and Bayonet Fighting) held at the Napier Barracks, Shorncliffe

Jun 24, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from course

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at the West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent

Sep 7, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request in order to proceed to a fighting battalion in France and was posted to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 8, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Sep 17, 1916

Left the CBD to join the battalion

Sep 18, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion which had just moved into billets in Vadencourt, France after suffering heavy losses in the fighting at Courcelette

Feb 9, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which is a fever without a known cause.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Feb 14, 1917

Transferred via the No. 17 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 11 General Hospital in Dannes Camiers

Mar, 3, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Canadian Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Mar 14, 1917

Declared fit for service and discharged to the Details Camp in Etaples

Mar 21, 1917

Joined the CBD in Havre

Mar 31, 1917

Left the CBD to join the battalion

Apr 2, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Bois des Alleux.  The battalion was conducting training for the attack on Vimy Ridge

Apr 9, 1917

During the attack on Vimy Ridge, Private Burke was first reported to be Missing in Action.  There is no record in the file as to when he was found or by whom, but one would assume members of another battalion located him. 

Apr 10, 1917

Admitted to the No. 14 General Hospital in Wimereux with severe shrapnel wounds to his right side and back

Apr 13, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth from the No. 14 General Hospital.

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Barnet War Hospital in High Barnet

Jul 11, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Aug 10, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital and granted 10 days sick leave.  Following his leave he was to report to the EORD in Seaford

Sep 5, 1917

Forfeited 2 day’s pay for being absent for 1 day

Sep 15, 1917

On Command to the School of Stenography in Hastings

Sep 19, 1917

Ceased to be On Command to the school and proceeded to join the EORD in Seaford

Oct 8, 1917

Posted to the CAPC (Canadian Army Postal Corps) in London to be employed as a clerk

Nov 30, 1917

Posted to the General Depot in Shorncliffe

Dec 1, 1917

TOS the General Depot in Shorncliffe

Jan 4, 1918

Posted to the CASC R&DD (Canadian Army Service Corps Reserve and Duty Depot) in Shorncliffe

Feb 2, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant without pay and placed On Command to the Training Establishment at Aldershot for duty

Mar 1, 1918

Reverted to the rank of private and ceased to be On Command to Aldershot

Mar 30, 1918

SOS (Struck Off Strength) and posted to the CASC CD (Canadian Army Service Corps Corps Depot) in Shorncliffe for duty

Apr 29, 1918

Admitted to the No. 11 Canadian General Hospital, Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

May 9, 1918

Discharged from hospital with light duties and reported to the Depot Company at the CASC Corps Depot

May 23, 1918

Transferred to the CASC R & DD at Shorncliffe

Jul 10, 1918

Transferred to the CASC London and employed as a Clerk

Aug 10, 1918

Rated for pay as 1^st Class Clerk

Jan 14, 1919

Married to Mary, 119 Salisbury Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire, England

Jan 15, 1919

Granted permission to marry

Nov 29, 1919

Posted to the 2^nd CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) pending return to Canada

Dec 27, 1919

Embarked the SS Metagama in Liverpool

TOS the Saint John Depot, Clearing Services Command

Jan 6, 1920

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick

Jan 10, 1920

Discharged from the CEF in Saint John, New Brunswick 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 413341

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 66 Alton Avenue, Toronto, Ontario 

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 33 Willow St., Brooklyn, New York, USA.  The latter is shown below with permission of the owner

If you know the location of the missing British War Medal, please contact the webmaster 

Jul 8, 1920

Entered the USA at Buffalo, New York for the purpose of visiting his wife living in Brooklyn, New York.  His stated occupation was given as Clerk and living in Toronto, Ontario

Feb 24, 1921

Entered the USA at Buffalo, New York for the purpose of joining his wife living in Brooklyn, New York.  His stated occupation was given as Clerk and living in Toronto, Ontario

Sep 19, 1953

Reported to have died on this date.  His next of kin is listed as Mrs. Mary G. Burke, widow, 54 Oak Tree Dr., Whetstone, London, England