TOPIC:

PART ONE



I was delighted earlier this week to receive the above small decorative box and contents therein. I suspect, given the form of the vessel that contained the objects I have purchased, that this may well be their first time in the market place.
The contents of the box, I will reveal as we travel through the life history of Harry W. Burden.

I would strongly recommend that the reader should also take a look at the unit information on the forum for the New South Wales Army Medical Corps. This to avoid repetition here. However, I will give the briefest of resumees in order to set the scene for what is to follow.

NEW SOUTH WALES ARMY MEDICAL CORPS: 2ND CONTINGENT
The 2nd. Contingent N.S.W.A.M.C. comprised of a strength of 108 bodies including 14 nurses. The strength was divided into sub-units of field hospital and half stretcher bearer company.
They embarked for South Africa on board the S.S. Moravia on 17th January 1900.
The Contingent served between February and December 1900 in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and the Transvaal. Part of this cohort replaced some of the 1st. Contingent.
The unit suffered lightly in terms of casualties, with no-one killed or died from wounds. However, 2 unfortunate members died of disease during the campaign.
Awards to the 2nd. Contingent include one V.C for N.R.Howse for rescuing a wounded soldier on 24th July 1900, two CBs for Colonel R. V. Kelly and Major W. L. Eames, one D.S.O. to A. H. Horsfall, one R.R.C. to E. Nixon and possibly one D.C.M.
The majority of the Contingent returned to Australia on 8th December 1900 aboard S.S. Harlech Castle and 8th January 1901 aboard S.S.Orient.
The nominal roll tells us that Harry Burden arrived in Australia classified as invalided on 8th February 1901. Perhaps this is an error in the detail of the month?

The Oz-Boer database has proven very helpful, also stating that Harry arrived back home on 8th February 1901. It also tells us that Henry William Burden was born in Brighton, England in 1870 and that he was a Signwriter by profession.

OFF TO THE FRONT
The Sydney Herald dated 4th January 1900 reported the following:
"SEND OFF TO 26 RAILWAY EMPLOYEES, A LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.
Seldom has there been a larger and more enthusiastic gathering of railway employees than took place last evening (3rd January 1900), when upwards of 800 men, representing all branches of the railway and tramway services, met in the new Masonic Hall, Castle Keys Station, to wish Godspeed to 26 of their comrades who are going to South Africa to form part of the 2nd. Contingent. The gathering took the form of a smoke concert... Following is a list of their names... Men connected with the railways and now attached to the army medical corps Harry Burden (loco), George E. Jordan, Joseph Wales, Horace Vaughan, H. T. Edbrook, Stephen J. O'Grady, connected with the loco branch of the railway service -- Nicholas Deveney, H. Wauchope, Traffic Department, John P.P.McGowan P-way, Abraham E. Taylor and L.W.Burne, Tramway Department. Attached to the Mounted Infantry --Alfred Bates, J. Gleeson, T.H.Hewlett, Fred W. Rafter, of the Tramway Department, Barnett, Kiddle, George Haken, Ebin Hill, A. Campling and George Atkins, loco Department Railways. C. Hanson, G. F. Alley, H. Cannon, W. McJannett and W. Durall, Traffic Department Railways."


A photograph of the Harbours and Railways Department at Newcastle dated 12th October 1899. Perhaps Harry is amongst them. The sturdy looking chap sat down left front would probably fit the bill!

The voyage to South Africa was to prove eventful as the following article published in the "Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner's Advocate," dated; 28th March 1900 reported on page 8:
"ON BOARD THE MORAVIAN.
SERGEANT BURDEN INJURED.'
"Private P. Murray, of Carrington, writing from Durban, Natal under date February 16th, to Colour Sergeant Hart of"A"Company 4th Regiment, says:-
"No doubt you have watched the papers closely regarding our movements, which I might say have been very slow. After leaving Albany we averaged 250 miles per day. Albany is a fine little town from the view we had from the Moravian. We were not allowed on shore, except for our old chum Sergeant Burden, who went on business with four men. The Oratava and Langton Grange were lying at anchor, and we beat the Maori King by 14 hours from Melbourne to Albany. Our trip from Albany was full of ups and downs. Things went smoothly for a while, but soon began playing up rough, and made matters miserable for all concerned. Even the first class passengers complained. One Sunday morning our chaplain spoke of the men disliking a certain non-com. it was rather funny one morning on board. Each Sergeant had 29 men told off to his care, and in one case of an alarm sounding, each section have to run to their respective boats. Our section on four occasions were first at the alarm sounding to fall in. Sergeant Burden on calling the roll reported all correct, whereupon Sergeant _____ began to order some of the men in different positions. Our Sergeant turned round and told him to mind his own business, and not interfere with his watch. It seemed a bold thing to do, because all the officers including the Colonel, were after apologized to our old comrade. Had he not done so, Sergeant Burden would have had him up before Major Murray Q.C. Since then _____has not been going for Sergeants, Corporals and men wholesale. I fell sick with influenza, along with 14 others, and was barely able to stand, but _____ bullied me terribly, what with rough weather and the food, I'm not well at all. There was a sports committee appointed on board, with Captain Copeland as Hon Secretary. The programme lasted5 afternoons and proved a great success. There were numerous items, including a team for bringing in wounded men, each team to be trained and commanded by a non-com. Five teams completed as follows:
Sergeant A. Branston, Sergeant A. Hole, Sergeant A. Lonely and Corporal Wauchope. Each non-com was allowed to pick his own team and drill them. We only had two night's drill, and operations were carried on as secretly as possible so that no points could be obtained on either side. I was chosen in Burden' s team, and although we had some hard teams to hold up against we secured the first prize. Betting commemced at once, one passenger laying on 20 to 1 on our team. Our Colonel and all our officers at once placed us an easy first --100 points for drill and 100 points for bandaging. Most of the other teams came prepared with splints and bandages, while we had nothing. We tore up a sheet, used our caps for padding, and by far we put up the nearest fractured thigh. It was a great honour to secure the prize, and it goes to Newcastle talent. I was also in the winning tug of war team, pulling against the Tasmanians, who pulled very unfairly: but we hung on to them with the result that the honour goes to New South Wales.
Major Eames told the "Tassys" to put the rope around Tasmania and our boys would pull them over to Sydney. Altogether Newcastle is not doing so badly. There were two very rough days on the way across, the vessel rolling her sails under. It was something frightful to see the horses going down, plunging and kicking, we hanging on expecting every minute to see all the forward horses and boxes roll overboard. At 4:30 pm on February 7th, there was a sad gloom cast all over us. During one of the terrible rolls Trooper W. H. Hollis, of the Lancers, was thrown under the horse's feet. SergeantsvBurden and Hole were also thrown. Poor Burden struggled to assist the lancer, when two heavy gratings came crashing down and smashed into them, both close under the plunging horses. I saw them being carried away afterward, and to trace the blood was positively sickening. Sergeant Burden is resting in the hospital with a smashed foot and terribly bruised about the body. Trooper Hollis is disfigured for life. His face is torn badly and stitched up. They are two popular favourites on board, and the boys are awfully sorry. They sit and talk with the invalids, who are "cracking hardy" and fully anxious for the front. I am sorry the accident happened, for Burden is such a good fellow. I am glad to say that I am with him in the Bearer Company for the front.
The caps worn by the injured men were afterwards found almost trampled to pieces by the horse's feet. Sergeant Hole got off with slight bruises. The much looked for convoy, HMS Tartar, is lying about 400 yards off today ( February 12th). One of her officers came on board with orders for us to steam with all haste to Cape Town. On Saturday 17th we sighted and signalled the Southern Cross. We are only 100 miles from the Cape at 11 o'clock. We are all mustered tonight and presented arms, the bugles sounding the general salute when passing Point Danger, the spot where the troopship Birkenhead went down,very were within 200 yards of the place where the S.S. Thermopylae went ashore. She must have been trying to cut a corner off. On Sunday, February 18th, we dropped anchor just off the town. The place is crowded with large transports, all of which have distinguishing numbers on the side. Transport 70, The City of Rome, is taking wounded soldiers to England. Remember me to all old comrades, and Sergeant Burden wishes to be remembered to Sergeant Paisley and Sergeant J. Woods."

From the previous letter we see that Private Murray certainly shows reluctance to name and shame the non-com who seems to be so unpopular amongst the ranks!
We now know that Sergeant Burden was serving with the Bearer Company of the NSWAMC in South Africa.

Now in the thick of the action in the seat of war, Sergeant Harry Burden takes up the story with the contents of a letter from him published in"Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner's Advocate " dated Wednesday, 22nd, August 1900, page 7:
"SERGEANT BURDEN WRITES"
"Writing to Mr. H. J. Noble, Sergeant Harry Burden, who is at present with the New South Wales Army Medical Corps in South Africa, sends the following interesting letter:-
"Leeuwfontein, July 7th, 8th,9th, 1900, thirty miles east of Pretoria, NSWAMC, with Major-General Hutton's Flying Column.
Knowing how eager friends are to see a letter from the battlefield, I have taken the opportunity to send a few lines. At the time of writing there is a fierce battle raging all around us. Major EAMES and two waggons went to rescue men of the Imperial Light Horse, and have been captured by the Boers. The son of Captain Cross of Waratah is wounded, but doing as well as can be expected. As I was galloping down to some wounded men yesterday, one of our men was talking to Mr. McEwan of Lambton, also of the ILH. Yesterday, the 8th, was a fearful day for slaughter. One of our large guns fired into a troop of the Imperial Light Horse by mistake, the officer taking them for Boers. Being a little uncertain he gave orders to feel for them with a shot. It was a too well aimed shot, which fell right in their midst, and killed seven of them. Our gunners are in a bad way over it. I, and sll of us deeply regret the loss of our Major, and this morning I volunteered to go through to him and take provisions, but were fired upon, shells dropping all around us, so things were pretty lively for a while. Today we are resting in camp, which is surrounded by the enemy. Major Vandeulian has just issued orders , in case the camp is attacked, we are to leave waggons, horses, stores and everything, run to the farmhouse, and every man to take a rifle and ammunition, so amidst the heavy cannonading and roar of musketry firing we are all on the qui vive.
Almost every day we supply the field hospital with a grave digging party. It seems very sad to see a small party of men each morning following the remains of some poor unfortunate to his last resting place, and as we look upon the little group someone will say, "Some poor mother or sister will shed tears when they receive the death news."
There is quite a lot of rumours running around of going home, probably at the termination of the war, and our different positions and critics are numerous regarding the fighting. There is one branch of the service our men and outsiders seldom think about: and it is the Army Service Corps. I don't suppose the men up here at the front see one hundredth part of the work going on regarding the supply considering an army of 50,000 men and horses going on a flying expedition as we did and never one day without food. It speaks volumes for the Supply Depot. One never realises the amount of work until one goes back down country with a wounded convoy. I passed hundreds of bullock and mule waggons coming up. Night and day they travel each waggon carrying 2000lb-6000lb in weight. "
"Arriving at the base, Vet River, there were millions of boxes containing bully beef, biscuits, tea, coffee and sugar, and a stack of mails for Tommy, which he will never receive, considering that De Wet captured and burnt them. This pile of mailbags was about 15 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. One of our Corporals came up with convoy containing the mail's and clothing. When nearing the Zand River the Boers pounced down on the lot, ripped open the mail, and took banknotes, money, cigarettes, pipes, tobacco, and even two gold watches, and then burnt the living messages from mother's, sisters and sweethearts. The Corporal and men were prisoners with the Boers for three or four days, and then allowed to go."
"Speaking of Pretoria, I never saw a more beautiful city for it's size. One can easily see that it is a city where the wealthy live. Church Street is the main thoroughfare, and on entering from the south end one of the first sights is Paul Kruger's house, a pretty little villa with sculptured lions at the foot of the steps. At the ends of the balcony are two sentry boxes, where once the Boer sentries would keep guard from, but things have changed. Mr. Tommy Atkins is marching up and down with fixed bayonet, and quite a chest he throws out as the Boer people watch him. Mrs. Kruger and daughter still live here. I saw them both one morning, whilst on my road to the hospital with wounded. Mrs. Kruger is rather a stout old lady, dressed in black; the daughter being a fine looking girl , also dressed in black. I hear they have sent letters appealing to the old gent to come back. Some of our boys wish he would, for they are getting tired of sleeping out in the cold veld with short rations and scanty clothing. Some Royal Horse Artillery are galloping back towards us, and a general stir in camp is visible, so must discontinue for a while."
"July 10th:-Major General Hutton has paid his morning visit to the hospital and expressed his regret at Major Eames' capture, every man with us would gallop away to fing him if allowed, but it is certain capture and as we are short handed we cannot spare them. The pompoms are making terrible havoc among the Boers this morning, and so are the lyddite shells. A Boer prisoner told me that when the lyddite has exploded near them tobacco, provisions and all goods go bad, and can't be used any more. Men have been found in a kneeling position, with the rifle at the present ready to fire, stone dead, the fumes from the shells having suffocated them. Once a Boer has been under lyddite fire he never cares to face it again."
" Our camp is in a precarious position. The Boers were caught in our rear just in time and driven back. They are entrenched for miles on our front. It is generally supposed that Bullet's force is in their rear. Yesterday, 9th, they got quite bold, coming out in the open veld and firing at 200 and 400 yards range. We notice quite a number of small boys with them."
"Major Fiaschi, in charge of the hospital, ha just told me that Major Eames was sent ton to the Springs with the wounded. The Boers having let them go after 15 hours captivity. The situation looks somewhat gloomy although the camp is cheerful. It will cost a good many lives to shift the Boer position."
"July 11th:- Glad to mention that Major Eames and party arrived in campall safe, having made 25 miles in 14 hours. The Major is looking rather ill,perhaps from exposure. From the talk of the party, the Boers are dick of the war. General Botha treated them with respect, although they gave them no food. The Boers buried some dead. It's evident that some Boers must have taken shelter in a tree, for it was covered with blood, and pieces of legs, thighs, arms etc. Ghastly sight to look upon."
" Discouraging news came to hand this morning. Above I spoke of the Royal Horse Artillery galloping towards us. It transpires they received immediate orders to proceed to Pretoria. Two squadrons of Scots Grey's and three companies of the Lincolnshire's are captured. This is another setback. Well, to speak the truth, we are all about full up of these terrible sights: but as they say use becomes second nature, we seem to take no more interest to see men falling than watching a parade. Speaking of the fight and the treachery of Dragoon Hill, Venersburg, when we came on the scene of a terrible sight met our view -- officers and men lying dead and wounded. After treating the wounded, our men started to load up the dead, and they dropped them in a cart one on top of the other, like a butcher loading up dressed sheep. They remonstrated wit, but they smiled, and said they, the dead, had no feeling."
"Major Eames, always on the inventive system, has been experimenting with some pipes and our water cart. The idea is to sterilise the bad water, thereby curtailing the enormous death rate in enteric and typhoid fever. I am pleased to say it is a success, and many Generals , officers and medical men have seen and approved of it's use. It may become universal in the British Army, so that at the end of the war when we all expect a good welcome home, Newcastle will have good reason to be proud of her men, and share in the Empire's cause. One word more, and that is-- Many thanks to the ladies of Waratah and other districts for the warm clothing sent to us "

PART TWO TO FOLLOW.

MUCH, MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW, PLEASE CALL BACK!!

That was fascinating, Steve. Many thanks.

Hi Steve,
Looking forward to reading more about Sgt. Harry Burden. I hope that I'm not hijacking your story, but I have come across a photograph of Cpl. H. Burden (seated front row on the right) with other Army Medical Corps NCO's prior to leaving Sydney for South Africa.





Trev

Good morning Trev,
Many thanks for posting these excellent images, they really help to build up the picture of Harry. I had not seen the images before. So no hijack! All input most welcome.
I hope to be able to add more in the next day or so. But, as usual, work gets in the way of the more interesting things in life!
I think the best is yet to come.
Cheers Steve

PART TWO

THE RETURN HOME

Having served the Empire under shot and shell, and having experienced the horrors of a full scale war, Harry returned to Australia, classified as invalided.The following item taken from the newspaper entitled "Town and Country," dated 9th February 1901, reported:
"The steamer"Wilcannia" brought back the following soldiers from South Africa (c. February 1901); Captain Green AMC, Captain L. Robinson, Imperial Bushmen, Sergeant Major E. P. Mason, Sergeants H. W. Burden, G. Branston , and Siddon, Corporals J. Strong, A. S. Austin, H. F. Ransome and McPherson, J. Gordon and S. O'Grady.

PRESENTATION OF GOLD TRIBUTE MEDAL FOR AN ACT OF GALLANTRY


The gold tribute medal awarded to Sergeant Harry Burden bearing his initials "HB" to the obverse.


The reverse of his tribute medal with inscription.

The medal is inscribed this:

"PRESENTED TO
SERGT. BURDEN
FOR RESCUING A
SOLDIER
UNDER HEAVY FIRE IN
SOUTH AFRICA
BY HIS
FELLOW EMPLOYEES
AT
H & R DEPARTMENT
NEWCASTLE MARCH 2ND 1901."

"Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner's Advocate" had this auspicious occasion covered, when one of the citizens of Newcastle was given a hero's reception by his civilian work comrades. They published the account of ceremonies on Monday, March 4th, 1901, on page 8, as follows:

"On Saturday night a number of the Harbours and Rivers employees met at Tattersall's Hotel for the purpose of entertaining and presenting Sergeant Harry Burden, of the Army Medical Corps, who has recently returned from South Africa, with a token of their appreciation of the services rendered by him at the front, while serving the country and the empire. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Ross, who after explaining the purport of the meeting, called upon Mr. Wilson to make the presentation, which consisted of a gold trinket of an artistic design, and suitably inscribed.
Mr. Wilson said that on behalf of a number of Harbours and Rivers employees it gave him great pleasure to ask Sergeant Burden to accept this gift. It was not an elaborate one, yet it was a token of their appreciation and recognition of the services rendered at the front by one of their fellow workmen. When they saw Sergeant Burden's name so honourably mentioned in despatches, they knew that he had done all that man dared do. They also knew that the heroic actions of their guest were prompted by the best instincts of human nature, belonging as he did to the noble order of the Red Cross. Their country's cause in South Africa was a just one, inasmuch as it was the cause of liberty. He concluded by wishing Sergeant Burden success in life, and hoped that he would be spared and ever ready to render his services in the interests of his country.
Sergeant Burden,in replying, thanked the donors for the presentation. It was one that he by no means regarded as a small one, coming from the source it did. It was one that he appreciated and would treasure all his life. He was pleased to know that he had been remembered by his fellow workmen, while serving on the battlefield in South Africa. He related several of his experiences while at the front. He had on one occasion to lie for an hour and a half beside a dead body, while bullets were flying all around him. In his opinion Tommy Atkins was a generous, kindhearted fellow, who when wounded, liked to be placed under the care of the Australian Army Medical Corps. He trusted that the war in South Africa would soon be brought to an end.
The remainder of the evening was spent pleasantly, vocal items being rendered by Messrs. Boden, Walker, Ross, Brent, Rooney, Seers, McFarlane, and Sergeant Burden."

As yet, I have been unable to identify the particular action to which the tribute for gallantry refers, either within the nominal or medal rolls, nor any of the regimental accounts I have pored over. Perhaps, as is often the case, if no officer was present at the time (Sergeant Burden would probably have been the senior rank within his bearer group on the battlefield) and so no official account was made. The communications between the men of his company and back home in Newcastle could possibly have informed of an act of bravery of this very popular NCO?
Notwithstanding, the men of the various nation's bearer companies were incredibly brave when attending to the needs of the wounded and dying on the battlefield. I'm sure every wounded Tommy Atkins would say that they "all deserved a bloody medal!"

AWARD OF QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL (AND LATER ADDITIONS)


The intrigue ends! Revealed above, are the contents of the box displayed in Part One of this thread.


Naming to the rim of the QSA.


Naming to the rim of the KSA, contemporarily engraved the wrong way up and with the incorrect service number of 354!


Medal Roll WO100/232 which informs us that Harry's QSA was issued on 1st June 1901, almost three months after he had received his gold "trinket."


Medal Roll WO100/289 showing entitlement to QSA with clasp South Africa 1901.

The eagle-eyed researcher and medal collector will notice immediate anomalies within this group!
I believe it safe to say that Sergeant Burden's entitlement is as follows:

Queen's South Africa medal with clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and South Africa 1901. Also, arguably Transvaal, which has been attached using cotton. The unit did serve in action within Transvaal.
The KSA and associated miniature comprising this group of medals are, unfortunately, not part of Harry's entitlement for the South African campaign, so one can only assume that a relative added these at a later date, for I am pretty confident that a sharp military minded man like Harry Burden would not got his regimental number wrong!


The rear of the box, with a very simple family tree handwritten thereon. Another offshoot for research!

Back in Civvy Street, Harry Burden was employed as a Carriage Painter in 1903, apparently picking up his profession as a Signwriter once again.

The next trace I can find for him was on the Find a Grave website, which details a H. W. Burden having died on 9th May 1936 at the age of 68/69 years of age, at Brontë, Waverley Council, New South Wales, Australia.
His date of birth given here is given as 1867, in conflict with previous information.
Also, caution should be made of the date of death given, as this could be the date of his interment.
No image available of his gravemarker.

I feel very privileged to have these medals in my collection and doubly honoured to be able to tell the story of the military service of this immensely popular NCO and gentleman.

I would welcome any further information concerning Harry Burden, no matter how small. There may be much, much more out there!!

Many thanks for taking the time to help perpetuate his memory.

Cheers Steve

Hello Steve

Gallant Act



Taken from Newcastle Morning Herald And Miners Advocate Monday December 3 1900 Page 4

Type of wounds



Taken from The Cumberland and Argus Fruitgrowers Advocate January 5 1901

Returning home with more details of what happened




Taken from The Daily Telegraph Wednesday February 20 1901 page 7

Photo - number 3




Taken from The Sydney Mail Saturday February 23 1901 page 469

Regards