Graham Campbell Burnett (1910 - 1987)

Born 26 Aug 1910 in Colinton, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Died 25 Jan 1987 at age 76 in Queensland, Australia

Biography

Private Graham Burnett was a prisoner of war during World War II.

Graham Campbell Burnett was born on 26 August 1910 in Colinton, Queensland. He was the son of Herbert Dawson Burnett and Annie Maria Campbell.^[1]

He served in WWII as a Signalman in Unit 1 Royal Australian Corps of Signals, enlisting on 22 May 1940, Service Number QX898.^[2] He was captured in Greece in 1941 and interred as a prisoner of war in Stalag XVIII-A. He was recovered safe in 1945,^[3] and is memorialised at Ballarat.^[4]

PRISONER OF WAR GROUPS

Groups of prisoners of war at Stalag XVIIIA, Germany. Top picture was sent to Mr and Mrs M. C Dalby, Kangaroo Point, from their son, Cpl M. I. Dalby (centre of front row). His pal, Pte Graham Burnett, of Colinton, is second from left in front row. Lower picture was sent to Pte V. Ritchie, AWAS, from Dvr Alan Eason, who was a well known Rugby Union player in Brisbane, and is a son of Mr and Mrs C. Eason, Warwick. Dvr Eason is in the centre of the back row.^[5]

In 1949, he was the President of the Linville and District Progress Association.

LINVILLE PROGRESS ASSOCIATION

LINVILLE, July 19--Presenting his report at the annual meeting of the Linville and District Progress Association, the President (Mr. Graham Burnett) stated that the enrolment of members numbered 24. Eleven meetings had been held during the year. and the average attendance was 11.

Referring to matters arising at meetings he stated that several requests to the Esk Shire Council had been granted. Improvements to the stock route at the railway yards and in the vicinity of Muddy Creek, also speed limit signs on roads leading into the township still awaited attention.

Efforts to have private letter boxes installed at the local Post Office had lapsed owing to the apathy of residents. A request to the P.M.G. Department to overcome the long delays in telephone calls should soon be remedied as an additional line had been erected between Moore and Linville, and other improvements were to be made to the Linville-Mt. Stanley line.

Mr. Burnett thanked all who had assisted in various functions during the year, especially mentioning the Ladies' Committee.

The financial statement, presented by the Treasurer (Mr. H. Prenzler) revealed a credit balance of £44/1/5. In view of the fact that the association had commenced the year with a debit balance of £166/8/, this was considered very satisfactory. Officials elected for the ensuing year were--President, Mr. Graham Burnett; Vice-President, Mr. C. Brown: Treasurer, Mr. H. Prenzler; Secretary, Mr. W. Wells: Committee, Messrs. D.S. Carseldine, James Cross, P. Sparkes, A W. Lord. J. Davis, the President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

The association has been in existence for three years during which time it has purchased and paid for the Linville Hall, and installed a piano and electric light.

Council Works- A section of George-street has been prepared for the laying down of a bitumen coating which, when completed, will be a boon to the business houses in allaying the dust nuisance. Work on the Muddy Creek bridge has been held up owing to" the scarcity of timber, and the difficulty in engaging experienced workmen.^[6]

In October 1952, he married Valmai Siemon.

Wed parents, and daughter

THE Rev. B. Frederick, who married the bride's parents, officiated at last night's wedding of Miss Valmai Siemon, of Sherwood, and Mr. Graham Burnett, of Rathburnie, Linville. They were married in the Albert Street Methodist Church.

The bride, who wore parchment faconne, trimmed with guipure from her mother's wedding gown, was attended by Miss Merna Davies, and Miss Helen Thomas, of Gippsland, Victoria.

Dr. Douglas Hemming-Jones, of Sydney, was best man, and Mr. Lex Thompson, of Toogoolawah, the groomsman^[7]

He passed away on 25 January 1987 in Queensland.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration Index, The State of Queensland, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages; index entry for Graham Campbell Burnett, Birth date: 26 Aug 1910, Father: Herbert Dawson Burnett, Mother: Annie Maria Campbell, Registration Number: 1910/C/10502; Link to Record : accessed 30 Jul 2022
2. ↑ Military Service: Australian War Memorial Signalman Graham Campbell Burnett
3. ↑ Military Service: Australian War Memorial, MIDDLE EAST - RECOVERED PRISONERS OF WAR ROLLS, 1939-45 WAR Graham Campbell Burnett
4. ↑ Military Service: Virtual War Memorial Graham Campbell BURNETT
5. ↑ "PRISONER OF WAR GROUPS" The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947) 19 June 1942: 4 (Second Edition). Web. 24 Mar 2023 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171965951>.
6. ↑ "LINVILLE PROGRESS ASSOCIATION" Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954) 20 July 1949: 8 (DAILY). Web. 24 Mar 2023 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124631424>.
7. ↑ Marriage: "Wed parents, and daughter The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954) 17 October 1952: 6. Web. 24 Mar 2023 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50511999>.
8. ↑ Death Registration Index, The State of Queensland, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages; index entry for Graham Campbell Burnett, Birth year: 1911, Death date: 25 Jan 1987, Father: Herbert Dawson Burnett, Mother: Annie Maria Campbell, Registration Number: 1987/50742; Link to Record : accessed 30 Jul 2022