Staff-Sergeant Arthur James Burt

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Port Pirie War Cemetery

RSL (Port Pirie Sub Branch) Inc.

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Arthur James Burt was born in North Adelaide, South Australia in 1911 to Oscar James and Alice Mabel Burt nee Scott. He married Kathleen Effie Woolacott on the 22nd October 1939 a began raising a family at 16 Railway Terrace, Solomontown, Port Pirie.

Arthur enlisted into the Army on the 5th January 1940 as a Motor Driver; his service number was SP6519. He was posted to Wayville, Blackwood and finally to 14 Personnel Staging Camp in Port Pirie, South Australia in August 1942.

Acting Staff Sergeant Arthur James Burt died of injuries accidently received in a tragic accident on the Port Pirie Baltic Wharf on 21st January 1943 where he sustained an amputated right arm, punctured kidney and broken jaw. 

A Court of Inquiry was held at Port Pirie soon after the death of Arthur.

On the 21th January 1943 at about 1700 hours a one-ton van was backed into the eastern wall of a Department of Defence Store at Port Pirie. The van was an army motor vehicle and at the time of the collision the van was being driven by Staff Sergeant Stanley Brown who was on duty at the time.

As a result of the collision the van and the eastern wall of the Department of Defence Store were damaged to a slight extent, and Staff Sergeant Burt of 14 Australian Personnel Staging Camp, Port Pirie suffered severe injuries from which he subsequently died. At the time of the accident Staff Sergeant Burt was on duty.

The Court was of the opinion that the accident would not have occurred but for the presence of the civilian child, Warren James Burt, on the wharf in the vicinity of the Department of Defence Store. His presence there was contrary to regulations but he had been permitted to enter by the Commonwealth Police Officer on duty at the gate.

The remains of Staff-Sergeant Arthur James Burt, who died in Pirie Hospital, were interred in the Pirie Cemetery on with military honours. The coffin was draped in the Union Jack and his hat and bayonet were placed upon it. Six officers were present and a party of 36 of his comrades in arms formed a guard of honour. Padre A. A. Adam, of the Royal Australian Air Force officiated and Mr. E. E. Cooper sounded "Last Post" and "Reveille." His comrades who bore the coffin were Sergeant E. Shelley, Corporal W. Williamson, and Privates. G. Wayland, E. Maddox, R. Broadbent, and C. Horner.

Sources:

National Archives of Australia

Trove Australia

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