Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant T. V. Burnett, 20th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for gallantry at Pozieres, 29/30 July 1916. He was killed in action seven days later on the Somme

Military Medal, G.V.R. (504 Sjt: T. V. Burnett. 20/Aust: Inf: Bn:) good very fine £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘For Conspicuous bravery at Pozieres. During an intense machine gun and artillery fire on the night of 29/30 July 1916, following an unsuccessful attempt to take the German Second Line Trenches, he went into no-man's land and brought in wounded men, showing the utmost coolness and devotion to duty.’

Thomas Vincent Burnett was born in Warialda, New South Wales, and educated there at St. Joseph’s Convent School. He served with the 20th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 5th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division in the French theatre of war.

Burnett was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations at Pozieres, Somme, 29/30 July 1916. He was killed in action whilst still serving with the Battalion on the Somme, 6 August 1916. The Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918, Volume III - The A.I.F. in France 1916, C.E.W. Bean, gives the following:

‘The trench was easily taken, most of the enemy being still in their deep dugouts from which in most cases they came up and surrendered willingly as soon as a summons was shouted to them. Some, who did not understand and had bombs rolled down on them, fought and in the 20th Battalion sector when an officer (Lt. C. Morgan Jones) and sergeant (Sgt. T.V. Burnett) were exploring the underground chambers after the unwounded Germans had surrendered, a wounded officer lying in a dark corner threw a bomb at them.’

Sergeant Burnett is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, Somme, France.