Arthur 'Robbie' Burns RIP

Kyt · Jun 12, 2008

Arthur 'Robbie' Burns - Telegraph

Arthur "Robbie" Burns, who has died aged 90, won a DSO in Italy in 1944 and subsequently had a distinguished career in the police service.

On the afternoon of October 8 1944, 1st Battalion the Duke of Wellington's Regiment was ordered to attack Monte Cece, north-east of Florence. This feature, about 2,000ft high with sheer slopes, was strongly held by the Germans and stood in the path of the main Allied axis of advance.

C Company led the advance with A Company, commanded by Burns, then a captain, in support. With heavy rain and the mud knee-deep in places, conditions over the precipitous terrain were close to impossible.

When the leading company was held up by heavy machine-gun and mortar fire, Burns was ordered to take his company through them and attack. Meanwhile the CO was mortally wounded and the commander of C Company was wounded also.

Burns took command of both A and C Companies and personally led two platoons in an attack on the crest under intense short-range Spandau fire. He managed to gain the ridge, wiped out the machine-gun posts and consolidated the position.

During the night and at first light the enemy counter-attacked, but both assaults were driven off with heavy casualties.

For his inspiring leadership in a critical situation, Burns was awarded an immediate DSO. Private Burton, a member of his company, won a Victoria Cross in the same action.

Arthur Burns was born on November 18 1917 at Darley Abbey, Derbyshire, and educated at Kedleston Road School, where he was the school swimming champion. He played soccer for Derby Boys and rugby for Derby RFC before going to the local technical college.

Burns joined the police in 1939, continuing a family tradition which had been started by his great-grandfather in 1840 and ended when his daughter retired from the Force in 1996. He spent two years pounding the beat before volunteering for combatant service in the Army.

After being commissioned into the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in 1943, he did his training in Scotland, where he acquired the nickname "Robbie".

He was posted to the Middle East and served throughout the Italian campaign as a subaltern and later as a captain. He was wounded twice in the Anzio beachhead.

In 1946, after a spell in Palestine, he returned to the police service in Derby as a constable. His DSO was spotted by the Chief Constable, and he advanced rapidly through the ranks to take charge of Derby CID.

In 1956 he was seconded to the Colonial Office for two years' duty in Cyprus as Assistant Commissioner of Police during the Emergency. He was awarded a Colonial Police Medal at the end of his tour.

When Burns returned to England he was appointed Deputy Chief Constable of Norwich City. He then moved to Essex as Deputy Chief Constable and subsequently became Chief Constable of Suffolk. He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1975 and was appointed OBE the following year.

After retiring in 1976 he settled at Duffield, Derbyshire.

Robbie Burns married, in 1942, Necia Crofts, who predeceased him; he is survived by their daughter.
Click to expand...

Antipodean Andy · Jun 12, 2008

Almost four decades of service. RIP.

Pathfinder · Jun 13, 2008

Rest In Peace "Robbie" Burns.

Log in or Sign up

Arthur 'Robbie' Burns RIP

Kyt Άρης

Antipodean Andy New Member

Pathfinder Guest

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Arthur 'Robbie' Burns RIP

Thread Tools

Kyt Άρης

Antipodean Andy New Member

Pathfinder Guest

Share This Page

Useful Searches