| John Joseph Burns was the son of William and Annie Burns. Joseph was born in Cookstown about 1890. He had a brother called James. On enlistment he gave their address as Killymoon Street, Cookstown.
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| The 1901 census does not list John as living with the family in Killymoon Street. There is a Joseph Burns, 10 years old, living with relatives in Millburn Street
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| It seems that he enlisted as John Burns, but in civilian life he was known as Joseph. He had worked as a labourer for Mr Gunning and also worked for Messrs’ Adair.
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| John enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Omagh, County Tyrone on the 8th June 1908. He gave his age as 17 years and 9 months.
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| Family: William Burns, Annie Burns, Susan Martin (born about 1885), Catherine Martin (born about 1889), John Joseph Burns (born about 1890), Margaret Martin (born about 1891), James Burns (born about 1892), Sarah Burns (born about 1896), Annie Burns (born about 1898), Ellen Nellie Burns (born about 1900), Christina Burns (born about 1903), Lily Burns (born about 1905).
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| GRONI records that Joseph Burns married Sarah Burns (nee Burns) on 3rd June 1911 in Cookstown.
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| The 1911 census shows William and Annie Burns still living in Killymoon Street.
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| John Burns had two sons, Thomas Burns, born 27 March 1912 and James Burns, born 27 May 1913. They were both born in Church Street Cookstown.
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| GRONI lists a boy, incorrectly listed as ‘Manas’ Burns, born 27th March 1912 in Cookstown to a Joseph and Sarah Burns. It records the Mother's maiden surname as Burns.
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| On 15th June 1912 he was promoted to Lance Corporal. On 24th April 1913 he was promoted again to Corporal. It seems that in November that year, he signed up for another four years with the Army, as Corporal. John was promoted to Sergeant in June 1914.
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| 1914
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| Joseph Burns, who was a reservist of the Inniskillings, and was called up at the beginning of the war. He was an enthusiastic instructor of the local U.V.F. corps.
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| Sergeant Burns was mobilised on the 8th August 1914 .
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| 1915
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| John Joseph’s wife Sarah died on 25th March 1915 leaving behind two young children.
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| Sergeant Burns was posted on 25th May 1915.
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| On 2nd July 1915 John was very seriously wounded in Gallipoli by the explosion of a hand grenade, which tore open his leg and thigh. He was removed to hospital in Malta and in August shipped back to England.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24h July 1915: Cookstown Casualties
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| Mrs Espey, Church Street, has received two letters from her brother in law, Sergeant Joseph Burns, First Inniskillings, one dated 5th July, the other 10th July, in which he informs her that he has been wounded at the Dardanelles, and is in a hospital ship and is progressing fairly well. He received his wounds in an engagement on 1st July. In both letters he mentions Mrs Espey’s husband, Private James Espey, First Inniskillings, whom he says, he has heard on good authority, was killed on 28th June. He saw him a couple of days previously, when he had recently come out of hospital recovering from a wound. Mrs Espey has had no official information as to her husband.
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| 1916
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 1st April 1916: Local soldiers
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| Sergeant Joseph Burns, who was a reservist of the Inniskillings, and was called up at the beginning of the war, has been in Cookstown on furlough for a few days. He was very seriously wounded in Gallipoli by the explosion of a hand grenade, which tor open his leg and thigh. He has been in hospital for a considerable time, and returns for further medical treatment. It is feared that he is permanently disabled. Sergeant Burns, who was employed with Messrs’ Adair, was an enthusiastic instructor of the local U.V.F. corps.
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| In March 1916 he returned to Cookstown on furlough. The local newspaper reported he has been in hospital for a considerable time, and was to return for further medical treatment. It was feared that he was to be permanently disabled.
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| He was discharged, being no longer physically fit for active service, a year later on 21st July 1916. He was moved to Chelsea for a time and then back to Cookstown.
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| A letter dated 11th August 1916 to the Infantry Records Office at Island Bridge in Dublin, states:
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| “Sir, I have been discharged since 12th July so would you be kind enough to forward me an armlet?. I am Sergeant J Burns No 3066 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, invalided through wounds. Hoping to hear at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely J Burns. Church Street, Cookstown.”
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| Sergeant John Joseph Burns died as a result of his wounds on 7th August 1920.
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| In 1920, the guardians of the children became
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Mrs Mary Espie, Church Street, Cookstown
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Father William and brother James of 3 Killymoon Street Cookstown
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| Sergeant Burns is interred in Cookstown New Cemetery
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