Born in Illabarook, Grenville, Victoria and a Labourer by trade, Harold Gordon Burnett was 22 years and single when enlisted on the 25th of March 1916 in the 39th Battalion, D Company, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 1214. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A11 'Ascanius' on the 27th of May 1916. Admitted to 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge fracture on the 27th of April 1917; re-joined Unit from Hospital France, sick on the 9th of July 1917; on the 28th of November 1917 wounded in action; on the 27th of July 1918 admitted to Hospital sick; on the 17th of August 1918 discharged to Unit 39th Battalion. Proceeded to England Ex AGBD for RTA (1916 Persic)39th Battalion on the 28th of February 1919 and was listed as returned to Australia per 'Karagola' on the 30th of April 1919 and disembarked on the 12th of June1919. Discharged at Broadmeadows from the 3rd Military District with the Termination of Period of Enlistment on the 27th of July 1919. Tree No. 1215