Profile image
Citation(s);
Military service
Age:
47
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Force:
Army
Unit/Regiment:
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, R.C.I.C.
Death:
April 30, 1941
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
Panel 14.
Additional information
Son of Charles Stuart Burness and Florence Burness of Toronto, Ontario. Husband of Jeannette H. Burness of Glenburnie, Ontario.
Digital gallery of Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
-
Photo of Kenneth Burness
From: The Varsity Magazine Supplement published by The Students Administrative Council, University of Toronto 1916. Submitted for the Soldiers' Tower Committee, University of Toronto, by Operation Picture Me. -
Newspaper Clipping
Toronto Star "Pages of the Past" online 1941, May 6 p. 1 -
Photo of Kenneth Burness
Toronto Star "Pages of the Past" online 1941, May 6 p 2 -
Newspaper Clipping
Toronto Star "Pages of the Past" online 1941, May 9 P4 -
Attestation Papers
He will be lost at sea in 1941 in the sinking of SS Nerissa. -
Royal Military College memorial doll
-
Royal Military College Memorial Arch
-
Royal Military College Memorial Window
-
SS Nerissa
The S.S. Nerissa was a passenger and cargo steamer of 5,583 gross tons. Built by Wm. Hamilton & Co. Ltd., Port Glasgow, she was launched in March 1926, initially for the Red Cross Line service between New York, Halifax, and St. John's, Newfoundland. During World War II the Nerissa was used as a troop transport. She had sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 21 April 1941, and called at St. John’s, Newfoundland en route to the United Kingdom, sailing unescorted (i.e. not in convoy). On the night of 30 April – 1 May 1941 Nerissa was about 120 miles out from Lough Foyle, Ireland (Lat. 55-57 N., Long. 10-08 W) when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-552 with a loss of life of 206 passengers and crew, including Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness. -
Inscription
The panel on the Halifax Memorial at Point Pleasant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada showing the inscription of Kenneth Charles Burness's name. In the official report of the sinking of the S.S. Nerissa, in which Lieutenant Colonel Burness was killed, Major C.P. Stacey, the Historical Officer at the Canadian Military Headquarters in London, UK wrote: "The loss of Lt.-Col. Burness in particular will be a serious one. Officers who crossed with me on the 'Capetown Castle,' and who had lately been associated with him at R.M.C., KINGSTON, where he was Chief Instructor, spoke of him as being in their opinion one of the most brilliant soldiers in the Canadian service." Image taken 1 April 2018 by Tom Tulloch. -
Halifax Memorial
The Halifax Memorial at Point Pleasant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on which Kenneth Charles Burness's name is inscribed. Image taken 1 April 2018 by Tom Tulloch. -
Dedication Panel
The dedication panel on the Halifax Memorial at Point Pleasant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on which Kenneth Charles Burness's name is inscribed. Image taken 1 April 2018 by Tom Tulloch. -
Biography
Entry for Burness summarizing his service during the First World War, from: University of Toronto Roll of Service 1914-1918, published by University of Toronto Press, 1921. -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Telegram November 1918. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Owen Sound Sun Times May 1941. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Leader Post Regina, Saskatchewan. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Montreal Star. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
Digital gallery of
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Charles Burness
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 25 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.