Flight Lieutenant Robert Henry BURDEN DFC..........Service: Royal Australian Air Force.........Service Number: 407406
Above: EGYPT 1942..........Age: 21 years
Flight Lieutenant Robert Henry BURDEN DFC
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 407406
Date of Birth: 11 February 1921
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 12 October 1940
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Next of Kin: Marie
Date of Discharge: 15 October 1945
Posting at Discharge: HQME
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Deceased: 24 November 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________
F/Lt. R.H. ‘Bob’ Burden RAAF arrived at 450 Squadron RAAF on the 16 May 1944 for flying duties. Along with him came F/Lt. W.E. ‘Bill’ Goldman RAAF who was also posted in for flying duties.
The squadron was based at Cutella, on the eastern coastline of Italy, on the Adriatic coast. At this time it was involved in heavy fighting around the town of Cassino which was dominated by Monte Cassino and its monastery overlooking the town. Because the Germans had occupied the monastery they had a commanding view of the Allied operations below and had proved difficult to defeat. The squadron, in close support with the army, conducted dive bombing operations on enemy gun positions and troop movements. On 17 May 1944 the Germans were forced to evacuate Monte Cassino and the Allies continued their advance northwards through Italy.
During his time in the squadron Bob was involved in flying many dangerous dive bombing operations on road and rail bridges, motorised transport, enemy occupied buildings and the like. Many of these operations meant flying through enemy ack ack fire (flak) in which the squadron suffered casualties in pilots and aircraft.
Bob’s aircraft was shot up 11 times and he was forced to bale out twice.
He flew his last operational flight on the 12 November 1944 after crashing landing his Kittyhawk due to enemy ground fire. On returning to the squadron the C.O. made him operationally tour expired and he was grounded from operational flying.
For his courageous actions he was awarded the DFC on 17 November 1944.
His citation read as follows:
407406. F/Lt. BURDEN, Robert Henry. 450 Sqdn. London Gazette 36853. 22.12.44.
This officer has displayed a high degree of courage and tenacity in pressing home his attacks on enemy targets such as railway installations and fuel stores. In October 1944, he led an attack on enemy shipping near Chioggia, during which a small vessel was hit and three barges sunk. This officer has displayed outstanding keenness, inspiring leadership and great gallantry.
Researched & written
by Doug Norrie/Historian
My father, Robert Henry (Bob) Burden, is now 86 years old. He met my mother, Marie McGarrity, a Scottish girl with the British forces, in Cairo during the war. According to his log books, after serving with the 450 SQN, he was posted to Ismalia on 28 May 1945 where he was in charge of training pilots on Mustangs. He ceased attachment and embarked for Australia 7 August 1945.
After the war Bob and Marie returned to Adelaide. (Bob’s home city) He joined Australian National Airways on 6 January 1946 as a domestic pilot.
Serveral years later he left to join a family business where he remained until retirement. He subsequently had three daughters, and Marie passed away in 1993.
Bob remarried, and lives with his wife, Jean independently at their home in Kensington Gardens. Until only a couple of years ago, they had enjoyed a full and active social life.
Deteriorating health has slowed Bob down a little, although his interest in the squadron’s activities has been re-ignited, since providing Log Books to Doug Norrie, and also by hearing from a former RAF colleague in the UK. He lost touch with squadron members after the war as he returned to live in Adelaide, whilst most resided in Sydney, and country NSW.
Written by Nona Burden
(Bob’s daughter)
Flight Lieutenant Robert Henry BURDEN DFC
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 407406
Date of Birth: 11 February 1921
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 12 October 1940
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Next of Kin: Marie
Date of Discharge: 15 October 1945
Posting at Discharge: HQME
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Deceased: 24 November 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________
F/Lt. R.H. ‘Bob’ Burden RAAF arrived at 450 Squadron RAAF on the 16 May 1944 for flying duties. Along with him came F/Lt. W.E. ‘Bill’ Goldman RAAF who was also posted in for flying duties.
The squadron was based at Cutella, on the eastern coastline of Italy, on the Adriatic coast. At this time it was involved in heavy fighting around the town of Cassino which was dominated by Monte Cassino and its monastery overlooking the town. Because the Germans had occupied the monastery they had a commanding view of the Allied operations below and had proved difficult to defeat. The squadron, in close support with the army, conducted dive bombing operations on enemy gun positions and troop movements. On 17 May 1944 the Germans were forced to evacuate Monte Cassino and the Allies continued their advance northwards through Italy.
During his time in the squadron Bob was involved in flying many dangerous dive bombing operations on road and rail bridges, motorised transport, enemy occupied buildings and the like. Many of these operations meant flying through enemy ack ack fire (flak) in which the squadron suffered casualties in pilots and aircraft.
Bob’s aircraft was shot up 11 times and he was forced to bale out twice.
He flew his last operational flight on the 12 November 1944 after crashing landing his Kittyhawk due to enemy ground fire. On returning to the squadron the C.O. made him operationally tour expired and he was grounded from operational flying.
For his courageous actions he was awarded the DFC on 17 November 1944.
His citation read as follows:
407406. F/Lt. BURDEN, Robert Henry. 450 Sqdn. London Gazette 36853. 22.12.44.
This officer has displayed a high degree of courage and tenacity in pressing home his attacks on enemy targets such as railway installations and fuel stores. In October 1944, he led an attack on enemy shipping near Chioggia, during which a small vessel was hit and three barges sunk. This officer has displayed outstanding keenness, inspiring leadership and great gallantry.
Researched & written
by Doug Norrie/Historian
My father, Robert Henry (Bob) Burden, is now 86 years old. He met my mother, Marie McGarrity, a Scottish girl with the British forces, in Cairo during the war. According to his log books, after serving with the 450 SQN, he was posted to Ismalia on 28 May 1945 where he was in charge of training pilots on Mustangs. He ceased attachment and embarked for Australia 7 August 1945.
After the war Bob and Marie returned to Adelaide. (Bob’s home city) He joined Australian National Airways on 6 January 1946 as a domestic pilot.
Serveral years later he left to join a family business where he remained until retirement. He subsequently had three daughters, and Marie passed away in 1993.
Bob remarried, and lives with his wife, Jean independently at their home in Kensington Gardens. Until only a couple of years ago, they had enjoyed a full and active social life.
Deteriorating health has slowed Bob down a little, although his interest in the squadron’s activities has been re-ignited, since providing Log Books to Doug Norrie, and also by hearing from a former RAF colleague in the UK. He lost touch with squadron members after the war as he returned to live in Adelaide, whilst most resided in Sydney, and country NSW.
Written by Nona Burden
(Bob’s daughter)
Edit caption:
Above: EGYPT 1942..........Age: 21 years
Flight Lieutenant Robert Henry BURDEN DFC
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 407406
Date of Birth: 11 February 1921
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 12 October 1940
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Next of Kin: Marie
Date of Discharge: 15 October 1945
Posting at Discharge: HQME
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Deceased: 24 November 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________
F/Lt. R.H. ‘Bob’ Burden RAAF arrived at 450 Squadron RAAF on the 16 May 1944 for flying duties. Along with him came F/Lt. W.E. ‘Bill’ Goldman RAAF who was also posted in for flying duties.
The squadron was based at Cutella, on the eastern coastline of Italy, on the Adriatic coast. At this time it was involved in heavy fighting around the town of Cassino which was dominated by Monte Cassino and its monastery overlooking the town. Because the Germans had occupied the monastery they had a commanding view of the Allied operations below and had proved difficult to defeat. The squadron, in close support with the army, conducted dive bombing operations on enemy gun positions and troop movements. On 17 May 1944 the Germans were forced to evacuate Monte Cassino and the Allies continued their advance northwards through Italy.
During his time in the squadron Bob was involved in flying many dangerous dive bombing operations on road and rail bridges, motorised transport, enemy occupied buildings and the like. Many of these operations meant flying through enemy ack ack fire (flak) in which the squadron suffered casualties in pilots and aircraft.
Bob’s aircraft was shot up 11 times and he was forced to bale out twice.
He flew his last operational flight on the 12 November 1944 after crashing landing his Kittyhawk due to enemy ground fire. On returning to the squadron the C.O. made him operationally tour expired and he was grounded from operational flying.
For his courageous actions he was awarded the DFC on 17 November 1944.
His citation read as follows:
407406. F/Lt. BURDEN, Robert Henry. 450 Sqdn. London Gazette 36853. 22.12.44.
This officer has displayed a high degree of courage and tenacity in pressing home his attacks on enemy targets such as railway installations and fuel stores. In October 1944, he led an attack on enemy shipping near Chioggia, during which a small vessel was hit and three barges sunk. This officer has displayed outstanding keenness, inspiring leadership and great gallantry.
Researched & written
by Doug Norrie/Historian
My father, Robert Henry (Bob) Burden, is now 86 years old. He met my mother, Marie McGarrity, a Scottish girl with the British forces, in Cairo during the war. According to his log books, after serving with the 450 SQN, he was posted to Ismalia on 28 May 1945 where he was in charge of training pilots on Mustangs. He ceased attachment and embarked for Australia 7 August 1945.
After the war Bob and Marie returned to Adelaide. (Bob’s home city) He joined Australian National Airways on 6 January 1946 as a domestic pilot.
Serveral years later he left to join a family business where he remained until retirement. He subsequently had three daughters, and Marie passed away in 1993.
Bob remarried, and lives with his wife, Jean independently at their home in Kensington Gardens. Until only a couple of years ago, they had enjoyed a full and active social life.
Deteriorating health has slowed Bob down a little, although his interest in the squadron’s activities has been re-ignited, since providing Log Books to Doug Norrie, and also by hearing from a former RAF colleague in the UK. He lost touch with squadron members after the war as he returned to live in Adelaide, whilst most resided in Sydney, and country NSW.
Written by Nona Burden
(Bob’s daughter)
Flight Lieutenant Robert Henry BURDEN DFC
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 407406
Date of Birth: 11 February 1921
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 12 October 1940
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Next of Kin: Marie
Date of Discharge: 15 October 1945
Posting at Discharge: HQME
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Deceased: 24 November 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________
F/Lt. R.H. ‘Bob’ Burden RAAF arrived at 450 Squadron RAAF on the 16 May 1944 for flying duties. Along with him came F/Lt. W.E. ‘Bill’ Goldman RAAF who was also posted in for flying duties.
The squadron was based at Cutella, on the eastern coastline of Italy, on the Adriatic coast. At this time it was involved in heavy fighting around the town of Cassino which was dominated by Monte Cassino and its monastery overlooking the town. Because the Germans had occupied the monastery they had a commanding view of the Allied operations below and had proved difficult to defeat. The squadron, in close support with the army, conducted dive bombing operations on enemy gun positions and troop movements. On 17 May 1944 the Germans were forced to evacuate Monte Cassino and the Allies continued their advance northwards through Italy.
During his time in the squadron Bob was involved in flying many dangerous dive bombing operations on road and rail bridges, motorised transport, enemy occupied buildings and the like. Many of these operations meant flying through enemy ack ack fire (flak) in which the squadron suffered casualties in pilots and aircraft.
Bob’s aircraft was shot up 11 times and he was forced to bale out twice.
He flew his last operational flight on the 12 November 1944 after crashing landing his Kittyhawk due to enemy ground fire. On returning to the squadron the C.O. made him operationally tour expired and he was grounded from operational flying.
For his courageous actions he was awarded the DFC on 17 November 1944.
His citation read as follows:
407406. F/Lt. BURDEN, Robert Henry. 450 Sqdn. London Gazette 36853. 22.12.44.
This officer has displayed a high degree of courage and tenacity in pressing home his attacks on enemy targets such as railway installations and fuel stores. In October 1944, he led an attack on enemy shipping near Chioggia, during which a small vessel was hit and three barges sunk. This officer has displayed outstanding keenness, inspiring leadership and great gallantry.
Researched & written
by Doug Norrie/Historian
My father, Robert Henry (Bob) Burden, is now 86 years old. He met my mother, Marie McGarrity, a Scottish girl with the British forces, in Cairo during the war. According to his log books, after serving with the 450 SQN, he was posted to Ismalia on 28 May 1945 where he was in charge of training pilots on Mustangs. He ceased attachment and embarked for Australia 7 August 1945.
After the war Bob and Marie returned to Adelaide. (Bob’s home city) He joined Australian National Airways on 6 January 1946 as a domestic pilot.
Serveral years later he left to join a family business where he remained until retirement. He subsequently had three daughters, and Marie passed away in 1993.
Bob remarried, and lives with his wife, Jean independently at their home in Kensington Gardens. Until only a couple of years ago, they had enjoyed a full and active social life.
Deteriorating health has slowed Bob down a little, although his interest in the squadron’s activities has been re-ignited, since providing Log Books to Doug Norrie, and also by hearing from a former RAF colleague in the UK. He lost touch with squadron members after the war as he returned to live in Adelaide, whilst most resided in Sydney, and country NSW.
Written by Nona Burden
(Bob’s daughter)
Edit caption:
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