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Wife: Millicent Ivy Burkitt. nee: Stanton-Cook. (18..-1941) Died Chatswood, N.S.W. Death Cert:15620/1941.
Died: 20th June 1947. Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:21156/1947.
Mother: Angelina Mary Burkitt. nee: Knight. (18..-1934) Died Strathfield, N.S.W. Death Cert:22645/1934.
Walter Emra Kingscote Burkitt enlisted with the 9th Australian Field Ambulance AIF at Dubbo, N.S.W. on the 3rd November 1915 and
embarked from sydney onboard HMAT A74 "Marathon" on the 4th May 1916.
6th October 1917.
Sydney Morning Herald Mr Walter Burkitt of Mosman, has received a cable message from his son, Reverend W.E.K.Burkitt, who has been
serving as a private in the Field Ambulance, A.A.M.C, since November 1915, to the effect that he received an appointment as Chaplain in
the A.I.F. Chaplain Burkitt was formerly assistant curate at St Pauls, west Maitland, and enlisted with his Bishop's concent a few days
after being ordained priest. He has been in France since last November.
21st August 1918.
"Zero Hour, August 21st, at thick fog lay across the front. The allied 3rd Army's Guns were clearly audible to the north. As reports filterd
to the waiting Diggers, they learned that the Germans had been suprised, all objectives had been achieved and 2,000 prisoners had been taken.
Because of the comparative ease of the victory of that first phase, it was decided to extend the second phase of the objectives. Gellibrand
issued orders to continue the assault if the British 47th, on the Australian left flank, were successful and Bray was cleared. Unfortunately
these orders, being last-minute, did not arrive at all units.
For the Australians their first active envolvement in the action was planned for dawn on the 22nd August, at 4:45am. At 2:20am the Germans,
possibly anticipating an attack, opened up with a barrage of artillery which went for an hour. The 33rd was being held in old trenches near
Tallis Wood. It was a bright moonlit night, and officers and scouts laying tapes to mark the jumping off point could plainly see the advancing
Battalions 800 yards away. A second enemy barrage fell at 4:00am. This time the 33rd were caught on the Meaulte-Etinechem Road where they had
assembled. The men flattened themselves as shells landed around them on the road., continually showering them with dirt. For somr reason a
forward German post asked their Gunners to lift their range, to the great relief of the 33rd, but it wasn't such a good move for the 3rd
Division Machine Gunners who were formed up in the rear ready to cover the flanks, nor for the reserve 11th Brigade. Both reported casulties
from the shelling. The 33rd had been lucky to receive only twenty casulties, the 35th a mere six.
The road, well behind the forward posts, had been chosen as the starting point for the simplicity's sake. These posts were withdrawn just before
the opening barrage, which began on schedule. From there the 'creep' was slow, the barrage advancing only a hundred yards in four minutes. A
number of phosphorous shells were dropped along the way to form a smoke screen, and this, combined with the dust and early morning mist, cut
visibility to only ten yards. The enemy counter barrage was fired within two minutes of the opening, but before the area was taken the Germans
had cleared out. The 33rd met with a few enemy Machine-Gun posts in the valley bottom, but these were quickly outflanked and subdued. A forward
German Battalion Headquarters, of the 124th Imperial Reserves , was also captured, along with its commander, liaison officers, forty men and
four Machine-Guns.
Shortly afterwards our own wounded commenced to arrive at the Dressing Station and the Regimental Medical Officer Captain:
William Johnstone BINNS. and staff commenced to get busy. He was assisted by Battalion Pardre Chaplain: William Emra
BIRKITT who was an old field ambulance man. Lieutenant: 2559 Robert Horner FLETCHER- wounded by an aerial bomb - was the
first officer to appear and he was able to give us some idea as how things were going. About this time word was received that
Captain: Thomas William TOLLIS of C company and Lieutenant. Alfred Gordon FARLEIGH of B Company had been killed
by shots from our own barrage".
(Never a Backward Step; Edwards 1996)
Walter returned to Australia on the 23rd July 1919. His Uncle Sergeant: 2533 Cyril Theodore BURKITT M.M
35th Battalion AIF had his wife live at Mosman with his Brother and sister in law whilst abroad.
Walter and Angelina Burkitt were married in 1887 in Sydney, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:1076/1887 and had 7 children. Herbert W Burkitt
born 1889 at Central Cumberland. N.S.W. Birth Cert:18498/1889. Walter Emra Kingscote Burkitt born 1891 at Parramatta,
N.S.W. Birth Cert:28293/1891 and died in 1947 at Hornsby, N.S.W. Death Cert:21156/1947. Arthur Edmond Burkitt born 1893 at Parramatta,
N.S.W. Birth Cert:28882/1893 and died in 10/1899 at Newcastle, N.S.W. Death Cert:14239/1899. Jessie C Burkitt born 1896 at Parramatta, N.S.W.
Birth Cert:24535/1896. Marjorie W Burkitt born 11/04/1900 at Newcastle, N.S.W. Birth Cert:14867/1900. Marcus Edward Helmore Burkitt born 1903
at Wickham, N.S.W. Birth Cert:8492/1903 and died 1974 N.S.W. Death Cert:42575/1974. Marion E D Burkitt born 1904 at Wickham, N.S.W. Birth
Cert:28403/1904 and died 1904 at Wickham, N.S.W. Death Cert:15346/1904.
3rd October 1919.
Sydney Morning Herald A Wedding was celebrated on Thursday afternoon, September 25th at St James Church, Turramurra, when Millicent Ivy, eldest
daughter of Mr and Mrs A Stanton Cook, of Chasecote, Turramurra, was married to Captain Walter Emra Kingscote Burkitt, Chaplain, 33rd Battalion A.I.F
son of Mr and Mrs Walter Burkitt of Mosman. The ceremony was performed by the Reverend Ronald Cameron, assisted by the Reverend Raymond King. The bride
was given away by her father, and wore a simple costume of white Georgette over satin, embroidered in pearls, and a veil of Limerick lace lent by
Mrs G Stanton Cook. The bridesmaids were Misses Tessa and Joan Stanton Cook and Miss Jessie Burkitt, sisters respectively of the bride and bridgroom.
They wore frocks of daintily coloured Georgette with black tulle hats. The groomsmen were Lieutenant: 11970 Charles Oswald
HAMBLIN 34th Battalion A.I.F. Lieutenant: 916 "Bert" Robert Cecil KING. M.C. 33rd
Battalion A.I.F.and Lance Corporal: 12039 William PEARSON 3rd Australian Field Ambulance. All recently returned from
active service. After the ceremony the guests were received by the bride's parents at Chasecote, when musical items by Mr Marcus and Miss Marjory
Burkitt were contributed. Later Captain and Mrs Burkitt left for Kosciusko.
21st July 1931.
Sydney Morning Herald FUNERAL; BURKITT. The relatives and Friends of Mrs MARY BURKITT and FAMILY invited you attend the Funeral of her dearly
beloved HUSBAND and their FATHER, Walter Marcus Holmes Burkitt; to leave St Ann's Church, Strathfield after a short service commencing at 3:30 at the
Crematorium, Rookwood.
Mrs P KIRBY and SONS LTD
Motor Funeral Directors. Phone:M2221-2 265 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
22nd July 1931.
Sydney Morning Herald Mr W.M.H.BURKITT who died at his residence, Gelling Avenue, Strathfield on Monday, was a senior inspector in the
Department of Labour and Industry when he retired fives years ago after 43 years spent in the Public Service. Born at Downton, near Salisbury,
Wiltshire, England, 69 years ago (his father was the first incumbent in the church there). Mr Burkitt came to the country about 48 years ago
and entered the architect's branch in the Railways Department three years later. When this was taken over by the Public Works Department, he
was transfered to the Department of Labour and Industry as an Inspector under the Early Closing Act and was stationed at Newcastle, Tamworth,
Goulburn and the metropolitan area. During his stay in Newcastle he was vice president and one of the founders of the Newcastle Kindergarten,
was honorary secretary of the Seamen's Mission at Stockton, a lay reader and member of the Cathedral Choir, and also designed the main alter
at the Cathederal and an alter in one of the chapels.
Gertrude Evans (working circa 1900-10), after a design by Walter Burkitt Altar, St Nicholas’ Chapel, Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. Australian
rosewood, 1910, Newcastle. The altar is embellished with waratahs, native pears, palms and flannel flowers. The metal openwork screen demarcating
the chapel on its south side features sea shells, anchors and waves, another local reference in a port city.
The Funeral took place yesterday, the remains being cremated. A Choral Service was held at St Ann's Chuch of England, Strathfield, conducted by
the Reverend W.G. Nisbet, assisted by the Reverend Arnold Conolly and the Reverend C.W. Dillon. The chief mourners were the widow, Mr H.W.Berkitt.
Reverend W.E.K.Burkitt (of Branxton) and Mr Marcus E H Burkitt (sons). Mesdames Gibson and Pederby and Miss Jessie Burkitt (daughters) Captain
Leonard Burkitt (brother) Dr N.M.Gibson (son in law) and Mr A.S.Knight (brother in law)
Among the sympathisers were Messrs. Taylor and huntly (representing the Department of Labour and Industry), Messrs. A.O.S snd G Stanton Cook, Messrs.
Shimmons, Claude, Crago, Jim Wood, W Alcock, Aurthur Saxton, J.O. Lietke. F Holliday, Q,M Muir. R McDonald. Emit Ford. Norman Tutin, Harold Gibson.
K Knight, Rose P Turk, Smmith, and Harold Tate. Mr Andrew Williamson representing the churchwardens of St Ann's; Mr Dawborn representing the church
council; Mr P A Bland representing the lay readers; Mr Sherrlng (choirmaster) representing the choir.
23rd June 1947
Sydney Morning Herald BURKITT. Reverend Walter Emra Kingscote = June 20 1947 (result of accident) beloved husband (AIF Chaplain and formely
rector of Morpeth) of the late Millicent and loved father of Margaret (Mrs Martlneau St Albans England) John (Tasmania) Ruth and Barbara.
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 12/12/2010-07/01/2011.
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