Mr James Burgess, of Dunsandel, has received word through the V.M.C.A. to the effect that his son, Rifleman Jack Burgess, who was wounded in the trenches in France, had been taken to the Hampstead Hospital in London and was doing well. Rifleman Burgess was wounded in the chest and arm. -Ellesmere Guardian, 25/10/1916.
Rifleman John Burgess (wounded in the chest on September 15) was educated at Selwyn and Dunsandel Schools. He was a splendid shot with gun and rifle, and was engaged as a sniper in France. He was farming at Dunsandel prior to enlisting. -Otago Witness, 6/12/1916.
Rifleman William John Burgess, first reported wounded in action in the battle of Messines on 10th June, and now reported died of wounds on 12th June, was 23 years of age and was the son of Mr E. Burgess, of Broughton street, Gore. He was born at Benalla, Victoria, Australia, came over to New Zealand with his parents and received his education at the Gore public school. He was a teamster by occupation and joined the 21st Reinforcements. -Southland Times, 28/6/1917.
John Burgess' Battalion of the NZ Rifle Brigade went into the line in the Messines area on August 4, 1917. It was a relatively quiet time in military terms. Possibly, in his role as sniper, John's luck finally ran out.
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