Private
Harry Burns
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About Harry

  • Name
    Harry
  • Initials
    H
  • Surname
    Burns
  • Date of Birth
    30 March 1893
  • Birth town
    Leeds
  • Resided town
    Leeds
  • Commemorated
  • Nationality
    English
  • Place of death
    Leeds
  • Date of death
    December 1971
  • Married
  • Occupation
    Iron Puddler

Service Information

  • Army

  • Service Number
    10484
  • Rank
    Private
  • Regiment
    West Yorkshire Regiment

Biography

Harry was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire in 1893 to Thomas and Cicely Ann (nee Walker) Burns and had a younger brother and sister. Before joining the Army, Harry’s occupations had been as a blacksmith’s striker and a puddler in the iron industry, his address was 6 Albury Road, Leeds.

Harry joined the West Yorkshire Regiment on 21 August 1914, aged 21. He sailed from Liverpool on 3 July 1915 to Gallipoli to serve with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, arriving 18 October 1915. During the campaign he was shot in his left knee whilst serving in the Dardanelles. He returned to England on 20 August 1916 and was admitted to King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London.

Harry was discharged from the Army on 2 September 1916 “no longer physically fit for war service” following amputation of his left leg. He received a weekly pension of 25/- possibly only for 2 months. There is no record of any further pension.

Private Burns was awarded the King’s Certificate and Bronze Star in addition to, the British War Medal 1914 – 1918, the Silver war Badge and the Allied Victory Medal.

Harry’s address after leaving the army was 7 Ross Terrace, Hunslet, Leeds.  Harry died in December 1971.

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Campaign Medals

The Silver War Badge
The Allied Victory Medal
The British War Medal, 1914-18

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