Eric BURNS

Regimental number27059
Date of birth12 August 1894
Place of birthKaitangata
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationPainter
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 2"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs R Burns, Christchurch Street, Kaitangata
Previous military serviceServed in B Company, 14th (South Otago) Regiment, Territorial Force; still serving at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date1 June 1916
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationRifleman
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 8th Reinforcements to 3rd Battalion, G Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 65 Pakeha on 23 September 1916
Final rankRifleman
Final unit2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade
FateKilled in Action 12 October 1917
Place of burialPoelcapelle 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 connectionsBrother: 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
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 41, p. 34
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21890167