Burness, Kenneth Charles

Born 22 July 1893 in London, England, McG144 Kenneth Charles "Casey" Burness was attending the University of Toronto when he enlisted with the 2nd University Company 26 May 1915. He joined the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in the field 1 September 1915 as a Private but was quickly promoted to Sergeant and obtained his commission to Lieutenant in early 1916. Promoted to Captain 28 June 1916 he was appointed as Regimental Adjutant. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at the Battle of Amiens in August 1918 and the Bar to his MC for gallantry during the Pursuit to Mons in November 1918. Struck Off Strength with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry 20 March 1919 he attended the Small Arms School in Hythe in 1923 and Staff College at Camberley, England in 1926-1927. Upon returning to Canada he was promoted to Major and appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General at Halifax from 1928 to 1930 then a General Staff Officer 2 at National Defence Headquarters 1930-1933 and the War Office 1933-1935. In 1937 he was appointed Associate Professor of Tactics at Royal Military College, Kingston. In 1938 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Chief Instructor and then General Staff Officer 1, in 1940 in charge of curriculum. In April 1941 Lieutenant Colonel Burness was enroute to England to take up a position as General Staff Officer 1, Headquarters Canadian Base Units, when his ship was torpedoed and sunk and he was reported missing at sea.