235 R.S.M. Edward William Thomas Burkinshaw
9th Light Horse Regiment AIF
by Robert Simpson
Edward William Thomas Burkinshaw was born on 6th December 1881 at 42 Gilford St, Islington, London the first son to William Edward Burkinshaw and Elizabeth B Potter. William had been born in 1854 and Elizabeth in 1856 and they were married on 1st June 1874 in St. Pancras. William was a plasterer or a labourer. They had 6 daughters and another two sons as well. On 1st January Edward was baptised in St. Mary Islington. By the 1891 census they were living at 2 Western Rd, Tottenham, Middlesex and he is listed as a scholar. His mother passed away in 1897.
For the 1901 census, he can not be found. The rest of the family has moved to Clerkenwell. On his WW1 attestation paper, it states his previous service was with the 68th Regiment of Foot (Durham Light Infantry) for 8 years and 12 days, but no discharge was produced. The 1st Battalion of the D.L.I. was involved in the Boer war with the 3rd and 4th Battalions, while the 2nd Battalion sent a company of Mounted Infantry from India, where they were based. So, it is possible he was in India or South Africa, but this can not be confirmed as no service papers for him have survived and he is not listed on any medal rolls. He is mentioned on his brother’s service record as being with the D.L.I. in 1904. (Henry joined 3rd Battalion East Surrey Regiment Militia on 11th November 1904 as Private 4531. He was 18 years old. He was discharged by purchase on 1st March 1906 with good character.). It also mentions in his records that his father, William was living in Caledonian Rd. Islington, he did not know Charles address and one of his sister’s; Mary, was living in Sutterton St. Islington.
Before 1910 he was back in London as he married Maud Agnes Skevington in April 1910 at Islington. In July their first son, Edward William Thomas was born. Clarence Alfred was born on 23rd November 1911 at 104 Bemerton Rd. Islington. Tragedy struck the family when Edward passed way at the age of 2 in Essex in January 1913.
Whether it was this, or other circumstances, that lead them to move is not known, but on 15th May 1913 William (as he seemed to have preferred being called) left London for Australia on the ship Beltana in 3rd class. He was listed as William Burkenshaw, age 31 and occupation painter. He must have chosen to settle in Adelaide as on 20th June 1913 Maud (or as she is written in the embarkation list, Maude Burkenshaw) left London, bound for Adelaide Australia in 3rd class at the age of 34. She was listed as a domestic housewife and she travelled with Beatrice Skevington age 20, a domestic. Beatrice would appear to be her younger sister. Oddly there is no mention of their son Clarence in the passenger list, but he was certainly in South Australia later on in life.
On 22nd October 1914 William Burkinshaw enlisted in the 9th Light Horse as Private 235. He is listed as being born in London Middlesex, age 32 years and 11 months and occupation as a painter. His next-of-kin is listed as his wife, Maud Burkinshaw of 3 Gladstone St. Adelaide. The address was later changed to Tomsey Ave off Tomsey St and then finally 234 Halifax St. His previous service is noted as above. He enlisted in Morphettville South Australia. The records show him to be 5 foot 5 inches tall, 148 pounds, a chest measurement of 37 inches, fresh complexion, light brown eyes and dark brown hair. His religion was Church of England. He had a tattoo “peace with honor” on his chest. He was posted to B squadron, 9th Light Horse. His pay book number was 234986. The next day he was promoted to Lance Corporal and on 20th January 1915 he was promoted to Sergeant. His final Medical Board examination before boarding showed he was examined with no disability. His rate of pay was 10 shillings a day, of which 5 shillings, 6 pence went to his wife, he took 3 shillings and 2 shillings were deferred. (Must be some error somewhere?). The regiment was formed in Adelaide and trained in Melbourne, and as part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, embarked on HMAT A10 Karroo on 11th February 1915. It arrived in Egypt on 14th March.
The Brigade landed at Gallipoli in late May 1915. It was in reserve during the disastrous attack on the Nek on 7th August, but suffered 50% casualties attacking Hill 60 on 27th August. As they were under strength and exhausted, they then played a defensive roll until evacuated on 20th December.
Back in Egypt, the Regiment was involved with defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish drive from the desert in March 1916 and was involved in the advance that followed the Turk’s retreat across the desert.
On 1st June 1915, he was admitted to the NZ field ambulance hospital at ANZAC with influenza. He was discharged to duty on the 7th. He was promoted to provisional Squadron Sergeant Major on 23rd August 1915 with confirmation on 8th January 1916.
On 10th October 1916, he was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 1). He was sent to the School of Instruction at Zeitoun on 25th November 1916 and returned from it on 18th December.
He was admitted to Guildford War Hospital on 2nd August 1916 with a gun shot wound to the right thigh.
The advance reached the Palestine frontier by December 1916 and the Regiment was involved with attacks on Maghdaba and Rafa where both were taken by bayonet charges. Then they tried two attacks on Gaza which failed on 27th March and 19th April 1917.
On 11th May 1917 he was admitted to the Citadel Hospital at Cairo with debility. The report stated he had been admitted with vertigo. The condition had begun months before with a faint and loss of consciousness. He remembered nothing more until he found himself in the hospital tent. After then he was troubled with dizziness until he was sent off duty on the 5th May. When examined he complained of being dizzy and having ringing in the ears. Everything else checked out normal except some sluggish reflexes and some arteriosclerosis. He was taken on strength of the 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment from the hospital on 3rd July 1917.
After the abortive attempts to take Gaza a wide outflanking movement was started on 31st October via Beersheba that ultimately led to its fall on 7th November. The Turkish position in southern Palestine collapsed and the regiment was involved in the pursuit that followed and led to the capture of Jerusalem in December.
On 3rd December 1917, he was admitted to the No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital at Moascar as sick with bronchitis and pleurisy, he complained of a cough and pain in the left side and he had a temperature of 98.8 C. He was prescribed some mixtures and a light diet and made a steady improvement. By the 16th he was eating normally again and he was discharged to duty on the 18th.
He was transferred to the 5th Light Horse Regiment on 15th January 1918, and then taken on strength of the 9th Light Horse Regiment from the 3rd.
Operations then moved to the Jordan Valley where the 9th was involved in the Es Salt raid in early May which although it failed, convinced the Turks that the next offensive would be launched across the Jordan.
On 11th May 1918 he was admitted to the 14th A.G.H. for burns to his hands and face which were received in action. A note from the hospital said he was cured on the 14th. On the 15th he was marched into the D.M.C. Rest Camp at Port Said and on the 5th June, he was discharged to Moascar to the 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment. On the 12th he was transferred to the 9th Light Horse. A Report on Accidental or Self Inflicted injuries on 19th March 1918 states the date of casualty to be 3rd May 1918 and that he had burns of 1st and 2nd degree on his right hand. The short statement of the circumstances reads that “On 3/5/18 after completing examination of enemy bombs prior to issuing same to Squadron RSM Burkinshaw when walking away lit a match, shook it and threw it on the ground. A quantity of loose powder was ignited and exploded.” His Commanding Officer stated he was in the performance of military duty as he was at Es Salt with the regiment holding the front line. He stated William was morally to blame, but that he had been hard worked for the previous 5 days. It was his opinion that William being tired led to his carelessness. No one else was to blame. Brigadier-General Wilson concurred that no action was necessary.
William’s statement for the accent read “On the afternoon of the 3rd May I was examining Bombs as ordered by the Adjutant prior to being issued to outpost lines. I found that in some boxes the bombs were empty and of no use – – having no screw tops. The last box contained a bit of powder which I emptied out – – repacking all boxes. On coming away I lit a cigarette, shook the match to put it out and threw it down. The match could not have gone out, but caught the powder which flared up and burnt my face and hands.”
Armourer Staff-Sergeant E. L. Cozens (396) statement on the 16th reads “On the evening of the 3rd May I was assisting R.S.M. Burkinshaw in examining enemy bombs. On completion of this work as R.S.M. Burkinshaw and myself were walking away we both lit our cigarettes from the one match held by R.S.M. Burkinshaw who then shook the match and threw it on the ground. An explosion occurred caused by I believe thro’ the match igniting some loose powder lying on the ground. It was almost dark at the time.”
The next offensive was launched along the coast on 19th September 1918 and the mounted forces penetrated deeply into the Turkish lines severing several major links.
The regiment was involved with the capture of Jenin and Sasa in September and Damascus in October and was on the road to Homs, when the Turks surrendered on 31st October.
He embarked at Suez for Australia on 5th February 1919 for compassionate leave.
He returned on the ship Delta on 5th March 1919 and was discharged in South Australia on 9th May 1919 as 235 1st Warrant Officer. His medical report stated he “says he is quite fit”. The rest of the regiment was still in Egypt quelling a revolt.
Meanwhile, at home Maude had her hands full with the family and was trying to balance the budget and was concerned with what was happening to William. In a letter dated 2nd July 1917, Maude asks if William has returned to duty or not yet with her address as 2 Tomsey Alley off Tomsey St, City. The reply from Base Records notes her address change and why the original message had been returned to them, as they had her address as 3 Gladstone St. They also state in the absence of any other notification that he must be progressing favourably. She had written to them on 29th May originally as she had read in the local paper that he was sick and wanted to find out what his problem was. A stamp on the letter noted the address change and they had received it on the 1st June. The original notification was sent on 17th May 1917 and noted he was suffering a mild debility and was in the 24th Stationary Hospital in Egypt. She wrote a letter on 21st August 1917 to note her address change to 234 Halifax St, City and to enquire if she was entitled to a separation allowance for their two sons as well as what she was getting from his pay (5 shillings and 6 pence a day). One was 5 years and 9 months and the other 2 years and 6 months. The change of address was noted and the pay query forwarded on to the Military Paymaster.
On 20th May 1918 a telegram from Base Records to his wife reports to her that he was admitted to 47th Stationary Hospital in Egypt on 7th May 1918 suffering from burns to face and hands caused by bomb explosion. On 26th July 1918 Maude wrote to the Base Records office to notify them of and address change from 234 Halifax St. City to Florrie Cottage, Glen Osmond Rd., Glen Osmond, Adelaide.
A reply to his wife’s letter dated 22nd October 1918 stated “that only those members of the A.I.F. abroad who embarked in 1914 for active service will be returned to Australia on furlough”. It also advised her that when William was to return she would be notified. She had written to ask them when he was coming home as she had not heard and as he was at Gallipoli she thought he should be.
William’s other brother; Charles Ernest joined the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers as Private SR/579. He served with the Expeditionary Force and died a prisoner of war on 17th November 1914. He has 2 Medal Index Cards, one under Burkenshaw and the other under Burkinshaw. He was entitled to a trio, including the 1914 Star. Soldiers Died Great War has him listed as dying of wounds, and he was previously 3727, Militia Royal Fusiliers Regiment. No service records have survived for him.
Maude signed for his Form of Warrant on 23rd April 1918 for him being appointed temporary Warrant Officer Class 1. He signed for his 1914-15 Star on 7th June 1920, his British War Medal on 25th April 1921 and Victory Medal on 25th April 1922.
William is listed in two publications, the Sands South Australian Directory of 1922 and 1924, as being a painter at Henry St, Croydon Park. Unfortunately, South Australian records are fairly scarce online, so not much more is known about him.
His father, William Edward, passed away in October 1925. He passed away on 7th September 1937 in South Australia. A death notice in the Advertiser on 8th September states- “BURKINSHAW – On the 7th of September, at Adelaide Hospital, Will, beloved husband of Maud Burkinshaw, of 71 Henry street, Croydon Park, and loving father of Alf and Ted aged 56 years, late W.O. 9th Light Horse A.I.F.” It is also noted in his service records, on 7.9.37 died after discharge- not war service. He is buried in West Terrace Cemetery Adelaide.
The cemetery has him recorded thus-
Name: Burkinshaw, William Thomas
Date of Death: 09 September 1937
Age: 56 Years
Last Abode: CROYDON PARK
Service Type: Burial
Cemetery: West Terrace Cemetery
Section: Light Oval
Row Number: 1AS
C/E/W: W
Site Number: 14
In the 1939 Electoral Roll in the subdivision of Hindmarsh, Maude is listed at 71 Henry St, West Croydon, home duties, with Albert Edward as a metal finisher.
Maude passed away in 1951. Albert was born in South Australia on February 1915 and died on 29th August 1968. Their other son, Clarence Alfred, enlisted on 14th August 1942 in the RAETC as Sapper S110213, later changed to SX39338. He was married at the time (married on 11th May 1933 to Elva Coonan) and living at 45 Highbury St Prospect, South Australia. Clarence served in Australia and New Guinea with the 27th Port Operating Co. AATNC. He was discharged due to demobilisation on 7th January 1946 and was entitled to the 39-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and ASM. He passed away on 8th September 1979.
William was entitled to the standard trio, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.
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