Second Lieutenant BURSTAL Richard Stewart

1st Australian Infantry Battalion 

Richard was born 14 October 1891 in Temora. His Father, Richard Burstal, a Bank of NSW Manager, transferred to Young in 1899, and then to Townsville Qld in 1912.
Richard, a Stock and Station Agent, enlisted on 13 April 1915 aged 23 years and 7 months. His religion was recorded as Church of England. On 9 December 1915, Richard was appointed 2nd Lieutenant. 

He embarked on HMAT Star of England and disembarked 2 May 1916 at Suez, and from there, disembarked Marseilles ex Caledonia on 17 May 1916. On 7 June 1916 he was taken on strength of 1st Battalion as supernumerary to establish pending absorption. Richard was killed in action at Pozieres on 25 July 1916. Known unto God. Richard has no known grave; his name is recorded on the Memorial Wall at Villers-Bretonneux, France; on the Townsville Cenotaph, and the Young Clock Tower. His commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jas Heane wrote to Richard’s Father on 1 August 1916 saying in part: “If ever a man deserved mention, your son did, and I have sent his name on. 

He was well liked by officers and men and although he had only been with us a such short time, proved himself a competent officer and his death has been a great loss to us.” Richard’s Brother, 31121 Gunner BURSTAL Albert Charles Clubbe enlisted 9 October 1916 aged 21. He was a university student studying medicine. Albert was wounded in action, receiving a gun shot wound to his face. He returned to Australia on 15 April 1918 and was medically discharged on 17 May 1918.