Federick Mornington Burnett

RANK:  Private

SERVICE NUMBER: 1907

UNITS SERVED: 3rd Field Ambulance Australian Army Medical Corps (16th Battalion)

Personal Details: Frederick Mornington Burnett was born at Snapper Point, Victoria in 1888 to William and Mary Lucella Burnett. He had a bronzed complexion, blue eyes and blonde hair. He weighed 200lbs and was 6’ 2 ½” tall. He never married and classified himself as a Methodist.

Enlistment Details: He enlisted on the 25th of January 1915 and was posted to the 3rd Field Ambulance Australian Army Medical Corps, in the16th Battalion as a private at the age of 26.

Details about his role in War: He embarked from Adelaide aboard the H.M.A.T. A20 ‘Hororata’ on the 20th of April 1915. He was taken on strength by the 16th Battalion in Gallipoli on the 13th of July 1915, however due to illness; he was transferred to hospital in Malta. When he recovered he was sent to Egypt, where he was transferred to the 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance on the 5th of February 1916. On the 11th of March 1916 he was transferred to the 3rd Field Ambulance Australian Army Medical Corps, which resulted in him being sent to Marseilles on the 27th of March 1916. His battalion gradually travelled towards the Western Front via Pradelles, Strazeele, to Le Doulieu, near the northern border of France. His unit was sent to many places including Pozieres, Bertaucourt, Beauval, Doullens, Steenvorde, Nordausques, and Amiens. He was killed in action on the 16th of December 1916.

Age at Death: 28

Cemetery or Memorial Details: Guards’ Cemetery, Lesboeufs, France.

Interesting Material: Frederick and his three brothers went to war together however the other two came back. His cousin, Gordon John Burnett was also killed on the Western Front in France, though they never saw each other. On his last few days in Egypt he was awarded 7 days for using insubordinate to a Superior Officer. While in France he had another disciplinary issue, whilst on Active Service Conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military Discipline in that he created a disturbance in a billet after lights out on the 2nd of May 1916 and he was awarded 21 days. He was a distant relative of one of Lauren Bagshaw’s grandparents.