Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Mr Jerome Lawrence Burns, M.R.C.V.S., is a son of Mr. Jerome Burns, M.I.C.E., who for twenty years was Etigineer-in-Chief on the Bombay, Baroda,and Central India Railway. Mr Burns was born at Blarney Castle, County Cork, Ireland, in 1867, and educated at Queen's College, Cork. He studied for three and a half years at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons at Edinburgh, and spent three and a half years at the Melbourne College. For seven years Mr. Burns has practised his profession in Adelaide, and in 1896 he was gazetted to act in South Australia for the issuing of certificates of health for stock for export. Mr Burns has two uncles, Messrs. Frank and William Walker, Veterinary Surgeons on the Staff of the British Army in India." - from the Adelaide Observer 03 Mar 1900 (nla.gov.au)

"THE LATE MR. J. L. BURNS.

Mr. J. L. Burns, who passed away at his late residence, "Glengariff," Marine terrace, Fremantle, at the age of 60 years, had been a resident of Fremantle for the last 24 years. He was highly respected, and on account of his unassuming and kindly manner, had made many friends. Br. Burns was born at Ardram, Co. Cork, Ireland, in 1867, his father being Jerome Burns, M.I.C.E.. London. He was educated at Queen's College, Ireland and was for two years a student at the New Veterinary College, Edinburgh, Scotland. He came to Australia and studied at the Melbourne University and claimed to be the first graduate of the Melbourne Veterinary College. He was for eight years in in private practice in Adelaide, South Australia and performed valuable service in connection with the Boer War, being lieutenant-veterinary surgeon of the South Australian contingent, and was awarded the Queen's Medal with clasps.

He was veterinary surgeon to the Imperial Remount Commission during its stay in Australia under the presidency 0f Colonel Hunt. At the time of his death he was a captain on the retired list. He was a great lover of horses and made many voyages to the Cape and to India in charge of Imperial Government remounts. He entered the Western Australian Government Service in 1903 as Government Veterinary Surgeon, and for over 20 years was stationed at Fremantle, but during leave of absence of the late Chief Inspector (Mr. Weir) he twice acted as Chief Inspector of Stock. In the course of his work he travelled all over the railway systems of the State to investigate and report on various stock troubles and some years ago when Acting Chief Inspector his prompt action was instrumental in stamping out a rather bad outbreak of swine fever. On account of the generous way in which Mr. Burns answered the many questions submitted to him by the ''Mutual Help" correspondents of the "Western Mail," and his promptitude in replying, that journal published their high appreciation of his services. In 1924 Mr. Burns had to undergo two serious operations from the effects of which he never fully recovered, and it was found that departmental duties were incompatible with his regaining sound health. At his request therefore he was retired from the service after six months long leave from July, 1925. He underwent another operation a week prior to his death. The funeral took place on Thursday, the 24th. inst. in the Church of England portion of the Fremantle Cemetery, and was well attended.

The chief mourners were Mrs. J. L. Burns (wife), Mr. Lawrence Burns (son). Mrs. M.F. Darcy and Mrs. P. Dullard (sisters), Mrs. L. Burns (daughter-in-law), Mr. P. Dullard (brother-in-law), and Mr. F. Darcy (nephew). The pallbearers were Messrs. E. H. Golding (Controller of Abattoirs), L. Jones (secretary, Agricultural Department). A. D. Cairns, B. T. Daly, W, E. Wray, G. Booth, P. J. Hevron, and H. Herbert. Many handsome wreaths were placed on the grave and numerous communications of sympathy have been received by the bereaved relatives. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Arthur E. Davies and Co., of Fremantle and Claremont." - from the Perth Daily News 28 Mar 1927 (nla.gov.au)