Chaplain Walter Emra Kingscote Burkitt

CHAPLAIN WALTER EMRA KINGSCOTE BURKITT

12991 – 9th Field Ambulance / 3rd Tunnelling Company

Walter Emra K. Burkitt was born in Parramatta, New South Wales about April, 1891 son of Walter Marcus Holmes and Mary Angelina Burkitt. The twenty four year old Church of England Clergyman was working in Dubbo, New South Wales when he enlisted on November 3, 1915 and took the Oath the following day.

The young minister passed his medical examination which discloses he was 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall, weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest measuring 93cms (36½ins). His complexion was medium, with grey eyes and mid brown hair and on his left arm carried a vaccination mark received in 1913. Church of England was confirmed as his religion and his father Walter M.H. Burkitt of Kirkoswald Avenue, Mosman, N.S.W. and later changed in 1918 to 37 Harbour Street, Mosman, was nominated as next-of-kin. His Attestation Form was marked ‘recommended A.A.M.C’.

The following day he was sent for basic training with the Australian Medical Corps in Dubbo remaining until transferred on March 21, 1916. Two days later was appointed to the 1st Reinforcements to 9th Field Ambulance and sent to Liverpool camp where he was medically re-assessed on April 3, 1916 and assigned the Regimental number 12991 and the rank of Private in preparation for departure a month later.

The Reinforcements left Sydney, N.S.W. on May 4, 1916 on board transport A74 HMAT Marathon and after three days Private Burkitt was appointed, for the voyage only, as Acting Corporal. The journey terminated in England on July 9, 1916 and the men were detrained to the Parkhouse camp on the Salisbury Plain for further training. The Reinforcements marched out to A.M.C. Details on July 29.

Acting Corporal duties ceased on October 26, 1916 and transferred to the 9th Field Ambulance at Larkhill, England on October 28, leaving for France via Southampton on November 23, 1916.

Private Burkitt was taken from A 36 9th Field Ambulance to hospital sick with Influenza symptoms on January 22, 1917 and admitted to the 2 Aust. Casualty Clearing Station diagnosed with P.U.O (Pyrexia (Fever) unknown origin) and rejoined his unit on February 14.

On May 4, 1917 suffering from Tonsillitis he was conveyed again to 2 C.C.S. but taken for further treatment on A 21 to Calais and admitted to the 30 General Hospital. On June 2 he was discharged to the Australian General Base Depot and sent to the 3 Division A.M.C. at Rouelles and rejoined his unit on June 17.

He was appointed to be Chaplain on continuous service on September 18, 1917. To take up his appointment as a Class IV Captain Chaplain proceeded to England on September 22, 1917, returning to France a month later on October 18. The following day reported for attachment to the 2 A.D.B.D. at Havre.

In the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, October 5, 1917 the following news was published:

He was admitted to the 2 General Hospital with ‘mild’ Tonsillitis on December 28, 1917 then invalided to England on the Hospital Ship Essequibo on New Years Day, 1918 and admitted to the 3 London General hospital at Wandsworth diagnosed with Tonsillitis. By February 4 he was discharged fit for general service and sent to the Training Brigade at Tidworth and normal duties until February 18.

Again proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on March 1, 1918 and attached to the Aust. Infantry Base Depot the next day. Subsequently was assigned for duty in the field to the 1 Casualty Clearing Station on May 29, 1918 finishing on June 12. Two days later was attached to the Aust. Corps Reinforcement Camp until July 16.

On July 18, 1918 Captain Chaplain Burkitt reported for duty with the 3rd Tunnelling Company and was attached to the company until August 7, 1918.

The Chaplain then proceeded to the 9th Infantry Brigade after a two-day change over.

A form recognising his commission was issued by the British War Office stating his temporary status of Captain IV Class and sent to his father in Sydney on September 14, 1918. His father returned the confirmation receipt also changing his address in an undated letter in the same instant.

Time was spent administering to the 33rd Battalion concluding with leave taken in the U.K. from October 7 until October 23, 1918. After the Armistice, remained with troops assisting with rehabilitation in the field and took leave to Paris for 8 days beginning February 19, 1919 then returned to 33rd Battalion. His last unit was the 36th H.A.G.

Capt. Chaplain Burkitt received orders on March 21, 1919 from the A.I.F. Headquarters, London to report to H.Q. and he disembarked to Folkstone on duty from France then was granted 14 days leave. Further leave was taken while waiting to be recalled for transport duty home.

A Defence Cablegram dated June 10, 1919 outlining that no debts were to be left outstanding in France, Belgium or the United Kingdom was given and a declaration signed that he had no unpaid accounts owing before leaving to return home.

On July 23, 1919 Capt. Chaplain Burkitt embarked for Australia on board the H.T. Canberra. Advice of his return was sent to his next-of-kin on August 11, 1919.

Arrived into Sydney, NSW from overseas on September 14, 1919 and the following day at the District Medical Board situated at the Anzac Buffet, Capt. Chaplain declared that he was fit and well and not suffering from any aggravation or disability arising from his War Service.

Termination of his appointment in the 2nd Military District (NSW) occurred on November 7, 1919.

In 1919 shortly after his return, he married Millicent Ivy Stanton-Cook, daughter of Arthur and Fanny.

For his service to his country Captain Chaplain Walter Emra Kingscote Burkitt was awarded the British War Medal (46249) and the Victory Medal (45185).

Duties of Chaplain were summoned at the age of 51 years during WWII with enlistment for service in the Australian Army on July 28 1942 in the Merowie Hall, Morpeth, NSW. Was given the rank of Captain and the number NX146119 (N156023). His son John was nominated as his next-of-kin. His posting when discharged was 2 / 1 Hospital Ship.

Reverend Walter E.K Burkitt died as a result of an accident on June 20, 1947 which was recorded in Hornsby District of New South Wales. His wife Millicent predeceased him in 1941.

The following notices appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald issue for Monday June 23, 1947: