BURLING, Clarence Edward
| Service Number: | 1316 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 February 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Warialda, New South Wales, Australia, October 1897 |
| Home Town: | Talwood, Goondiwindi, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | 1969, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Boomi Roll of Honour, Boomi and District Public Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1316, 33rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1316, 33rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: '' | |
| 4 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1316, 33rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Sydney | |
| 16 Aug 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 3rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 May 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1316, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second), SW to leg | |
| 28 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1316, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
Help us honour Clarence Edward Burling's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From. Adam Burling, Australian Military History
I was absolutely honoured over Xmas to have handed down to me by my father the original photograph from over 100 years ago of my Great Grandfather, Pte Clarence Edward (Ted) Burling in uniform prior to entering battle in WWI.
He enlisted upon turning 18, with his brother James Burling. Having enlisted at Moree NSW they were of the 33rd battalion, however Ted was very shortly transferred to the 3rd Battalion, as is the colour patch in this photograph.
Sadly I don't know much of his service, but I do know he was a runner due to his speed, one of the more dangerous vocations in the units as they were a favourite for snipers. He was taken out of the line with trench feet, as had many from all sides, suffered after consistent time in muddy trenches. He was also gassed.
His brother James was wounded 3 times, first slightly, secondly gassed and the 3rd badly after a shell landed right next to the section he was leading killing most, and maiming the rest. That was the end of the war for James, he spent months in hospital then was invalided back to Australia.
As was common in those days the shrapnel was left in place, and with a piece in his hip James walked for years with a limp. Story has it he was cranking a machine one day when the crank handled kicked back, hit him in the hip and somehow moved the piece, he was said to have moved much freer after that.
James passed away in 1981 aged 86, Ted at 72 in 1969. His photograph, as is bestowed to the Monarch in any RSL, has been placed highest of all in our lounge room.
Thank you for your services Great Grampa Ted and Great, Great Uncle Jim, we are forever grateful and eternally proud,
Lest We Forget.
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