Samuel Roy Burston KBE CB DSO (1888 - 1960)

Born 21 Mar 1888 in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia)

Ancestors

Husband of Helen Elizabeth (Culross) Burston — married 16 Apr 1913 in Mitcham, South Australia, Australia

Died 21 Aug 1960 at age 72 in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Roy Burston KBE CB DSO is Notable.

Major General Sir Roy Burston KBE KStJ CB DSO VD MB BS FRCP FRCPE FRACP was an Australian soldier, medical doctor, and horse racing identity.

Formative years

Born Samuel Roy Burston on 21st March 1888 in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), he was the second son of prominent Melbourne soldier and businessman, James Burston, and his wife, Marianne McVean. ^[1] Burston usually went by his middle name of Roy.

Samuel graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1910. After graduation, he worked with children at the Adelaide Children's Hospital and Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.

Samuel married Helen Culross on 16th April 1913 in St Michael's Church of England (Anglican Chuch), Mitcham, South Australia. ^[2] They had three children.

The Great War

Roy Burston KBE CB DSO is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Having served with the Militia from an early age, Samuel obtained a commission in the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1912 and served as a medical officer in the Gallipoli campaign and on the Western Front during the First World War. He was Mentioned in Despatches and appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for supervising an advanced dressing station under fire during the Battle of Messines. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1918. For his war service he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Between those global wars

Resuming his civilian practice after the war, Samuel maintained his association with the Australian Military Force as deputy-director of medical services, 4th Military District. In 1928 he was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for a surf rescue at Victor Harbor. A Member of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh (Fellow 1937), and an honorary physician at (Royal) Adelaide Hospital from 1933 (honorary consultant physician 1947), he was a foundation Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1938.

Second World War

Roy Burston KBE CB DSO is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1939-1945
Director General of Medical Services

During the Second World War Samuel served as Director of Medical Services in the Middle East and Director General of Medical Services in Australia with the rank of Major General. The 9th Division was withdrawn from the Siege of Tobruk on his medical advice. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1942. He remained Director General of Medical Services until 1948. For this additional war service he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australian Service Medal 1939-1945.

On the home straight

In 1945, Samuel became Chief Commissioner of St John Ambulance Australia, serving until 1957. He was also active in the Australian Red Cross Society and other service organisations. He was created Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1952.

Of all the honours bestowed on this great humanitarian, however, the office of Honorary Colonel of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, from 1952 to 1957, was the distinction that pleased Samuel most.

He was involved in thoroughbred racing both as a punter and as a racehorse owner. He served as Chairman of the Moonee Valley Racing Club from 1952 until his death in 1960. He made the W S Cox Plate the richest weight for age race in Australia, and he oversaw the construction of the Burston Grandstand, which was named in his honour.

Samuel passed away just weeks after his wife, on 21st August 1960, at his home in South Yarra, Victoria. After a military funeral, his remains were cremated. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Victoria Birth Index #13232/1888
2. ↑ South Australia Marriage Index #255/208 1913
3. ↑ Victoria Death Index #32554/1960

See also

• Clerehan, Brian. Burston, Sir Samuel Roy (1888–1960). Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 1993; accessed online 25 May 2018.
• Wikipedia profile: Samuel Roy Burston; accessed 20 May 2018.