ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collection

HMSS 0172 Claude Ambrose Burns Papers

Scope and content notes

Claude Ambrose Burns came to Canberra in 1926.  He was employed by the Canberra Times as a linotype operator, eventually becoming a journalist on the paper.

Burns became the First Brother in the Canberra Times Chapel of the Printers’ Union (records 1928-1931 held at the Noel Butlin Archives, ANU).  He was active in the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society (HACBS), a Catholic Friendly Society, of which he was foundation Secretary Canberra, serving from 1927 to January 1937. 

Burns played grade cricket in Canberra for the North Canberra and Northbourne Clubs.  A noted bowler, he was also handy with the bat and was still playing competitively in 1948.  He was also involved in Rugby League in the ACT, and was Treasurer of the Group Eight Rugby Football League in 1950.

Burns operated as an SP bookie, running bets by telephone out of his house in Fawkner Crescent, Ainslie.  He was fined for illegal betting in August 1937.

He maintained RSL and Canberra Club membership.  He was a long-serving secretary of the Canberra Club.

Burns married Kathleen May Slattery in Sydney in 1925.  They had one child, a son, John Ambrose born Orange, NSW, 11 November 1925.  Kathleen died in Canberra in May 1940, and is buried at Woden Cemetery.

The Burns Family lived first in Lister Street, Ainslie but soon settled permanently at 13 Fawkner Street, Braddon.

Claude died on 11 July 1985 and is buried at Gungahlin Cemetery.

Another small collection of personal papers is held by the National Library of Australia.

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