Burke, Jack Lea

No.810 – Sergeant Jack Lea Burke – 28^th Battalion AIF

Jack Lea Burke was born in Fremantle in 1894 to John and Jane Burke. The family initially lived in Market Street Fremantle and after being educated in schools at Claremont and Bayswater, Jack took up work as a Bread Carter and Driver. On the 11^th March 1915 Jack went to the Perth Recruitment office and offered his services for the AIF, and as he was only 20 years old he also had the signed consent form from his parents so he could enlist. This consent was given and so Jack was given a medical examination and was found to be 5 feet 6 inches in height; weight of 130 lbs; chest measurement of 33-35 inches; fresh complexion; blue eyes and fair hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. Passed as fit Jack was initially allotted to No.13 Depot but was then assigned to B Company of the newly forming 28^th Battalion AIF and this was ratified on the 2^nd June 1915 by the 28^th’ Commander, Lieut-Colonel Collett.

On the 29^th June 1915 the 28^th Battalion left Fremantle on the H.M.A.T. “Ascanius” and made their way to Egypt where other battalions of the 7^th Brigade soon joined them. The 7^th Brigade was part of the 2^nd Division and they were soon sent to Gallipoli. The 28^th Battalion arrived at Gallipoli in early September 1915 and though the major battles of the campaign had passed, the 28^th, garrisoned the trenches in the newly captured territory in the northern Anzac battlefields and casualties still occurred. Fortunately for Jack he got through the 28^th’s four months in Gallipoli unscathed and in November was promoted to Lance Corporal.

After Gallipoli was evacuated the men were sent back to Egypt and the 28^th would spend the first three months of 1916 training in the Egyptian desert. On the 16^th March 1916 the 28^th Battalion embarked for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 21^st. The 2^nd Division was the first Australian infantry sent to France and the men were sent up to the region around Armentieres and Fleurbaix to gain experience of front line conditions. On the 19^th April Jack was promoted to Corporal.

In July 1916 the 28^th Battalion went to the Somme and after the 1^st Division had captured Pozieres, they were relived by the 2^nd. The 28^th Battalion was cut to ribbons by German Machine Gun fire during an assault on the 29^th July 1916. Jack survived this and subsequent assaults in August with the attempted capture of Mouquet Farm. In late August the 28^th Battalion was relieved and sent to the quieter area up north around Ypres but in October returned to the wet and muddy Somme battlefield. On November 3^rd the 28^th Battalion took part in a hopeless attack on the German trenches through the thick mud of the Somme. Jack survived but had been wounded in the arm during the assault. He was evacuated back to the 5^th Field Ambulance and then the 3^rd Stationary Hospital. The wound did not prove to be too severe and Jack rejoined the 28^th on the 17^th November 1916.

On the 11^th April 1917, Jack was promoted to Sergeant and in early May went with the 28^th into the attack at Bullecourt. On May 3^rd Jack was severely wounded in the back. He was evacuated back to No.11 Stationary Hospital at Rouen where the following notes were kept by the Office in charge.

“No.810 Sgt. J.L. Burke was admitted to the hospital 5.5.17 suffering from a small penetrating wound of the left loin. He had a high temperature and considerable abdominal pain. X-Ray showed a foreign body in the lower part of the abdomen. Wound opened up and an extra peritoneal perforation of the descending colon found. 6.5.17 – 10.5.17 Found the operation necessary on the 10^th. Right sided colostomy performed evidence of peritonitis present. Prognosis grave. 15.5.17 Progress very satisfactory 17.5.17 Symptoms of infection of the chest cavity have set in profuse foul expectoration. 19.5.17 Evidence of an abcess in left lung, condition very serious operation for drainage, cardiac failure and collapse, patient died the same day 1.15pm”

Jack was buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen in plot P.II.M.11B.

His mother would receive a pension per fortnight after his death of 50/-.