| Regimental number | 27059 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Kaitangata |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Painter |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Height | 5' 2" |
| Weight | 126 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs R Burns, Christchurch Street, Kaitangata |
| Previous military service | Served in B Company, 14th (South Otago) Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Rifleman |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 8th Reinforcements to 3rd Battalion, G Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 65 Pakeha on |
| Final rank | Rifleman |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of burial | Poelcapelle British Cemetery (Plot XXX, Row F, Grave No 10), nr Ieper, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Mr & Mrs Robert Burns, Kaitangata |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 27066 Rifleman John BURNS, 2nd Bn, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, died of wounds, 7 June 1917. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington, 23 September 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 18 November 1916, and marched into Sling Camp. Proceeded overseas to France, 9 December 1916; joined 2nd Bn, NZ Rifle Brigade, in the field, 7 January 1917, and posted to C Company. Detached to Divisional Reinforcements Camp, 30 May 1917; rejoined Bn, 18 June 1917. Detached to Physical Training School, 5 August 1917; rejoined Bn, 19 August 1917. Killed in action, 12 October 1917. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 34 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21890167 |