Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Renfrey Gershom Burnard was born in Unley, South Australia on 23rd July 1882.  He was the son of a schoolmaster Richard Thomas Burnard and his wife Alice Hardy, nee Hanton. He was educated at Prince Alfred College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1904. Whilst still a student Renfrey was called to give evidence to the Court of Enquiry investigating the conduct of Dr Ramsay Smith as City Coroner in 1903.  He was appointed the resident pathologist at the Adelaide Hospital in 1906, and then entered general practice at Naracoorte SA. He married Selina Victoria De Garis, from Mount Gambier, at Kent Town, South Australia in 1907. They had four children, three daughters and a son. His younger sister Eulalie was one of the University of Adelaide’s first female graduates, and married one of their fellow students, Dean Dawson. Eulalie tragically died in 1907.

Burnard volunteered for the AIF on the 14th August 1916. He was a 34 years old, married medical practitioner of Naracoorte with previous experience in the AAMC Reserve. He sailed from Adelaide in January 1917. He disembarked at Devonport in March 1917, and was sent to France in April. He reported to 2 AGH at Wimereux, with instructions for detachment to the RAMC. However he developed a severe upper respiratory tract infection and was sent back to England to recuperate. He was posted supernumerary to 7 FdAmb in July 1917. He was employed as a relieving RMO within the Division, and he was attached to many units in the next two years. During this time he was involved in saving the life of Private Tom Playford, who was to become the longest serving Premier of South Australia. Burnard became Tom Playford’s friend and chess opponent. He was gassed on the 31st October 1917, and sent back to England to convalesce at Cobham Hall. He recommenced his round of attachments in February 1918 which continued until October, at which time he was definitively posted to 1 Sanitary Sect. Burnard returned to England in April 1919, and sailed for Australia the following month with his appointment terminated on the 9th August 1919. Burnard was issued with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Burnard resumed his practice at Naracoorte; in 1929 he moved to a western suburban practice in Adelaide. He also worked as an anaesthetist at the Adelaide Hospital. He wanted to undertake further studies in medicine but was unable to until 1937 after the Depression, when he gained his MRCP.  During WW2 he maintained some military duties in the Reserve. He had a good tenor voice and enjoyed singing. He was a keen churchman and very generous to those less fortunate especially during the Depression. Renfrey Gershom Burnard died on 4th September 1971 in Adelaide at the age of 89. He was survived by his four children.