| Regimental number | 10/540 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Railway porter |
| Address | Pembroke Street, Carterton |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 24.11 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs J Burns, Bayview Road, Dunedin |
| Previous military service | Served for 17 months in the Waikari Rifle Cadets; 11 months in the Senior Corps; left the district; not serving in any military unit at time of NZEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Awapuni |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on |
| Final rank | Lance Corporal |
| Final unit | Wellington Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 25 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial (Panel No 18), Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Mr & Mrs J. Burns, 1 Richmond Street, South Dunedin |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli Embarked Egypt to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915. Appointed Lance Corporal, 5 May 1915. Wounded in action, date not recorded (gun shot wound, left hand); admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, 12 May 1915; rejoined unit, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 14 July 1915. Reported missing, 8 August 1915. Board of Enquiry, Moascar Camp, Ismailia, 16 January 1916, concluded: 'Now believed to be dead.' War service: 333 days (of which 320 days werne abroad) Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body |
| Sources | Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21890145 |