Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

04/06/1943

Date of Discharge

22/02/1946

Place of Enlistment

Paddington NSW

Gender

Male

Other Name(s)

Known as 'Tozer'

Date of Birth

11/11/1904

Place of Birth

Adaminaby NSW

Address (at enlistment)

Westlake (Yarralumla) ACT

Occupation

Labourer

Next of Kin

Bessie Bourke (wife), Westlake (Yarralumla), ACT

Service Number

NX201367

Final Rank

Sapper

Final Unit

4 Docks Operating Company

Bourke's parents moved to the Cotter area during World War 1. Bourke later moved to Oaks Estate where he met and married Bessie Butler in 1926. He worked with Afforestation at Uriarra for several years before moving to Westlake in 1941. After being called-up in 1943, Bourke served in New Guinea for two years. He died on 1 October 1977 and is buried in the ex-services section of Woden Cemetery. He was one of six brothers who served in the war or in the occupation force in Japan that followed. His sons Kevin and Keith also served in the war.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
Ann Gugler, 'True tales from Canberra's vanished suburbs of Westlake, Westridge & Acton', 1999 (p.45)
Canberra Public Cemeteries http://www.canberracemeteries.com.au/cem_gravesearch.asp
Image courtesy of Fiona Robinson