1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
07/07/1910
Died:
19/05/1940 (Killed in Action)
Age:
29
Summary
Fusilier Joseph Burns He was the son of John & Margaret Burns of Morgan's Hill Road, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. On Sunday19th May 1940 the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers were acting as part of the rear guard before the retreat to Dunkirk It is believed that Fusilier Burns was killed when the Luftwaffe carried out a bombing and strafing attack on the 1st Battalion’s positions.
Heverlee War Cemetery is located 30 kilometres from Brussels and 3 kilometres south of Leuven. Turn left out of Leuven railway station onto the Tiensevest (ring road R 23). Follow the Tiensevest through the junctions Tiensepoort and Parkpoort and along the Naamsepoort. Turn left at the Naamsepoort onto the Naamsesteenweg (N251), signposted Namen, Waver and Heverlee. Continue until you cross the railway line at Heverlee and take the first left turn into the Hertogstraat. Follow Hertogstraat to the end and turn right at the Sport Hall onto the Kerspelstraat. Continue down the Kerspelstraat until you come to a crossroads at which the cemetery is located.
