John Burns

ADDITIONAL FAMILY INFORMATION - From the 1871 Census - Address - Long Row, Coatbridge - Rodger Burns aged 40, Helena Burns aged 36, Rosanna Burns aged 11, Patrick Burns aged 5, Helen Burns aged 3, John Burns aged 4 months. The 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers sailed for Gallipoli in March 1915 going via Egypt and landed at Cape Helles on the 25/04/1915. They were part of the 87th Brigade, 29th Division. John arrived on the 15/07/1915. John fell just over 1 month later. John's brother-in-law Private James McVary (McVerry) was killed in France on the 07/12/1914 (see Directory). John's regiment took part in the attempt to capture Scimitar Hill at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli but in the ferocious fighting "Officers and men were were swept down as by an invisible scythe" and after 8 hours they had to fall back. At roll call on the 22nd of August there were 4 Officers and 230 other ranks out of 21 and 723 who set out the previous day. SEE PHOTOS x 10 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY AUGUST 1915. John is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Church (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name listed in the Ireland Casualties WW1, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Helles Memorial Panel List, photo of John's sister Helen and her daughter Thilena (Lena). Helen's husband was William Docherty), more Family Information, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Cap Badge and John's Pension Records x 3. Also, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 4 (Coatbridge Express x 2 and Coatbridge Leader x 2). John's son Sergeant McVary (McVerry) was serving and was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal. Unable to trace, see Newspaper clippings 2 and 4. They state John had 5 sons. Only 4 listed on his Pension Record. Finally, SEE PHOTOS x 12 FOR THE 29th DIVISION BOOK AUGUST - DECEMBER 1915 and the 29th Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died).