For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

 

They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Francis Connolly Burns

 

Stoker 1st Class, V37387, RCNVR

 

Born: 01 Oct 1922, Rexton, Kent Co., New Brunswick

 

Died: 01 Sep 1943 at sea

 

Book of Remembrance

 

BURNS, Francis Connolly, Stoker 1c, V37387, RCNVR, died 01 Sep 1943, HMCS DRUMHELLER - Son of James Michael and Mary Gertrude Burns, of Rexton, Kent Co., NB.

 

On 29 Aug 1943, Sto Burns, who was experiencing severe abdominal pain, was transferred by whaler from HMCS DRUMHELLER to HMS ICARUS for surgery. Surgery was performed that day and his appendix removed.  The following day he seemed to be recovering well, but during the night of 30 Aug / 01 Sep he developed a fever, high pulse and distended abdomen. His condition worsened and he passed away at 1350 01 Sep 1943.

 

Stoker Burns was buried at the Londonderry City Cemetery, Londonderry, Northern Ireland Plot: M. 10 (RC)

 

Ships served in:

HMCS BRUNSWICKER - Enlisted 21 May 1942. Commenced active service 01 Jul 1941.

HMCS DRUMHELLER - Drafted to DRUMHELLER 20 Jan 1943 as a Sto 1c, RCNVR

 

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(FB01-FB02) Certificate of Service - pages 1 and 2  (FB03) Casualty report  (FB04-FB05) Surgeon's report on the death of Stoker Francis Burns

 

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(FB06) Letter to Stoker Burns' mother  (FB07) Stoker Burn's headstone in the Londonderry City Cemetery

 

(FB08) Shipmate standing behind the grave marker of Stoker F.C. Burns, Derry City Cemetery, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

 

From the collection of Mansford Legge, AB, RCNVR

Courtesy of Brian Legge

 


 

Second World War Casualty Index

 

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