Military History

De Burgh was transferred to Melbourne for training. He attended the Ascot Vale Isolation Camp 24.8.1917 and Signals School Bendigo 8.9.1917.
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT A 71 ‘Nestor’ for Egypt 21.11.1917.
Roll Rank Sapper.
Roll Unit 19th Reinf. 4th Division Signallers
De Burgh disembarked at Suez and marched into the Australian Camp at Suez 15.12.1917. De Burgh entrained to a Camp at North Alexandria 2.1.1918, where he joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)and embarked at Abbassi for England 8.1.1918. He disembarked at Southampton 24.1.1918 and marched in to No. 3 Camp at Parkhouse Details. He was attached to Biggleswade Signal Depot for a course of instruction 2.3.1918. De Burgh proceeded overseas to France 24.4.1918. He was detached to 5th Div. Signal Coy. 20.5.1918 and taken on strength with 5th Div. Signal Coy. 27.5.1918. The 5th Divison fought against the German Spring Offensive in 1918 with a particular focus  of capturing Chemin des Dames Ridge. De Burgh was wounded in action at the Third Battle of the Aisne - gassed. He was invalided to England and admitted to the Red Cross Hospital at Christchurch. He was then transferred to Alexandria Hospital at Cobham. He proceeded overseas to France on recovery 11.11.1918 and was transferred to 5th Div. Signal Training. He was promoted to Temp/ Cpl 20.1.1919, a position he held whilst on duty for the return voyage to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Konigin Louise’ 21.6.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 2.8.1919.
Discharged 26.8.1919.
Final Rank T/Cpl. 5th Division Signaller Coy. AIF
Medical Condition NK (previously wounded/gassed)
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Nestor' A 73. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB 0607
             Parkhouse, AIF Training Camp, 1919. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM D00280
             Aisne area. Ruined buildings in Aussonce, France October 1918. Photograph donated by the French Government, source AWM  H04596
             Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment, Boise deL'Abbe 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04851

Information Source
AWM PB 0607. HMAT 'Nestor' A 73. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM D00280. Parkhouse, AIF Training Camp, 1919. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H04596. Aisne area. Ruined buildings in Aussonce, France October 1918. Photograph donated by the French Government, sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04851. Gassed Australian soldiers awaiting treatment, Boise deL'Abbe 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Ernest Charles de Burgh.
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, de Burgh E C


Gingin, WA.

Associated Images