8/1420 Private David Hardy (27/12/1892-9/8/1915) and 23/83 Rifleman George Francis (19/11/1892-5/4/1918) Burnett. "the lad we loved so well"

Mrs James Burnett yesterday received advice from the Minister of Defence that the Court of Inquiry had concluded that her son, Private David Hardy Burnett, had been killed at Gallipoli, no date being given. Private Burnett was the youngest son of Mrs Burnett and the late Mr James Burnett, of Papakaio, being twenty-two years of age. One of three brothers to offer their services, he left New Zealand with the Third Reinforcements, and the last letter received from him was dated July last, so that he was probably one of the victims of the costly engagement of August 7th. The sad news comes now to and a dreadful suspense, and the whole community will feel the deepest sympathy with Mrs and Miss Burnett in their loss.  -North Otago Times, 30/3/1916.

The sparse details of David Burnett's death, and the inability to recover his remains, would indicate that he was one of the Otago Regiment men who took the strategic hill of Chunuk Bair and held it against Turkish attacks until relieved at the end of the 9th of August.  Both sides knew the importance of the position and fighting was fierce and confused. The Otagos' Official History describes that day: "As daylight broke on the 9th considerable numbers of the enemy appeared to the right rear, and at the same time a determined attack, preceded by a storm of bombs, was delivered against our front. The enemy's apparent intention was to drive in the front and then attack the garrison in the flank as it withdrew. The first line of trenches was entered, but the enemy was subsequently driven out, and the occupants of the rear trench, temporarily changing their front, dealt with the enemy threatening the flank. This attack was thus beaten off; at all other points the enemy was equally unsuccessful."

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE

IN MEMORIAM. 

BURNETT. — In loving memory of Private David Hardy Burnett, who was killed while in action at the Dardanelles on or about August 7, 1915. 

"Killed in action," say the cables, 

That is all the tale they tell 

Of the brave young lad who loved us, 

Of the lad we loved so well. 

We know not how his life was sped, 

What his last word, look, or thought, 

Only that he did his duty, 

Died as bravely as he fought. 

— Inserted by his loved ones.  -Otago Daily Times, 9/8/1917.

George Francis Burnett was in the NZ Rifle Brigade when it stood against, and held, the high point of the German Spring Offensive in early 1918.  He had previously been wounded, with a gunshot wound to the neck, in June of 1917, on the day of the opening of the Battle of Messines.

The Rifle Brigade, on April 5, stopped the German advance at a high cost.  That cost included the life of George Burnett.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

DEATHS.

On April 5, 1918, killed while in action in France, Rifleman George Francis Burnett, 23/86, third (3rd) son of the late Jas. Burnett, of Peebles, and Mrs A. J. Burnett, Oamaru; aged 27 years.   -Otago Daily Times, 29/4/1918.

Papakaio Cemetery.