Henry John Burrows

Corporal Henry Burrows

1st /14th Field Company Engineers, AIF

Serial Number: 2157

Born: 1893, Penrith, NSW

Died: 2 September 1918, Peronne, France

Henry John (Jack) Burrows was born in 1893 at Penrith, the son of Edward Charles and Rubena (nee Squires) Burrows. Burrows attended Penrith Superior Public School before serving an apprenticeship with Henry Vale and Co, an engineering works at Auburn. Prior to enlistment, he worked for the Railway Department at Penrith as a fitter. On enlistment, Burrows listed his occupation as mechanic and stated that he was a good horseman.

Burrows enlisted on 23 July 1915 and was allocated to the 11th reinforcements, 1st Field Company Engineers and sailed for the war front aboard HMAT Port Lincoln on 14 October 1915. Soon after arriving in Egypt, he was hospitalised and rejoined his unit on 29 January 1916. Burrows spent a few weeks with the 1st Field Company Engineers before being taken on strength by the 14th Field Company Engineers, then stationed at Tel-el-Kebir. In March Burrows was admitted to hospital with sore feet. He was hospitalised again in May before rejoining his unit where he was promoted to Corporal.

On 18 June, Burrows embarked for France. On 13 July, he was admitted to the 8th Field Ambulance with a sore throat. He rejoined his unit on 22 July. On 6 November 1916, Burrows suffered gunshot wounds to the scalp and thigh at Fleur Baix. He was sent to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers. He rejoined his unit on 13 December. On 10 January 1917, Burrows was admitted to hospital with an infection and rejoined his unit on 7 February. During April, Burrows was on furlough in England, but was again to hospital in October with bronchitis, rejoining his unit on 17 November. In January 1918, Burrows was granted leave in England and rejoined his unit on 6 February. On 8 May, he was sent to Lewis Gun School, rejoining his unit on 11 June.

On 1 September 1918, he was wounded in action with gunshot wounds to the abdomen. He was transferred to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station and died the following day. Two brothers also served – George, who after obtaining a commission, won a Military Cross and Bar with the14th Field Company Engineers and Norman Charles who served with the 6th Field Artillery. After the war, Penrith requested the Amiens Gun as a war trophy, famously captured by Lieutenant George Burrows and his men, but was refused. Burrows’ father worked actively to see Memory Park come to fruition.

Memorial Details: 

  • Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France
  • Honor Roll, Memory Park, Penrith
  • Honor Roll, St Stephens Anglican Church, Penrith

Sources:

Trove: