E. L. M. Burns
Encyclopedia
Eedson Louis Millard "Tommy" Burns, (June 17, 1897 – September 13, 1985) was a Canadian Army Lieutenant General
and diplomat.
in Kingston, Ontario
in 1914. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers, into which he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1915.
He fought on the Western Front with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1916 to 1918. He became a staff officer with the 9th Brigade in March 1917, dealing with supply and personnel. He became a "staff learner" and acted as liaison officer between forward battalions and brigade headquarters. He returned to Canada in 1919 and was stationed at St. John as an engineer officer.
in Kingston, Ontario
. He returned to Halifax and served on duty during the miners' strike at Glace Bay. He worked in the Survey Department in Ottawa. In 1924, he was appointed as an instructor at RMC
in field engineering. He attended the Staff College at Quetta, British India and returned to Quebec, Canada in 1930. In 1939, as a Lt-Col, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London, England.
General Burns successively commanded the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade
, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
, the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
(January 1944 to March 1944), and then finally the I Canadian Corps
(March 1944 until November 1944). His performance as a corps-level commander proved to be controversial, despite the successes of the Canadian forces in the Italian Campaign
, and so he was replaced as commander of I Canadian Corps by Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes.
He played a critical role in the Middle East peace process from 1954 to 1959. He was instrumental in developing UN peacekeeping
. As Chief of Staff in 1954, United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) was designed to maintain the General Armistice Agreements until permanent peace could be formulated.
He served as a Special Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine (1954–56) with the Department of External Affairs and was thus nearby when the Suez Crisis
of 1956 occurred. He led the UNEF
from November 1956 to December 1959. He was Canada’s principal disarmament
negotiator from 1960-68.
He held the chair of Strategic Studies at the Norman Paterson School for International Affairs, Carleton University
from 1969-75. He wrote “Between Arab and Israeli” (1962); “General Mud: memoirs of two World Wars” (1970) and "Defense in the Nuclear Age" (1976).
In 1967 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada
for his services to Canada at home and abroad. He was described as a Former Chief of General Staff and Canadian adviser on disarmament in Geneva. He was the 1981 recipient of the Pearson Medal of Peace
for his work in the military of Canada.
He is a 2010 induction to the Wall of Honour at the Royal Military College of Canada
.
There is a park located in Nepean
named after him.
wears “Tommy” Burns' khaki army uniform jacket, covered with medals and wrapped with a Sam Browne belt.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
and diplomat.
Early Education
E.L.M. Burns was born on June 17, 1897 in Montreal, Quebec. His father was a militia staff officer, a member of the Corps of Guides. He served with the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (17th D.Y.R.C.H.). He had risen to the rank of signal sergeant by 1913. “Tommy” Burns, student # 1032 graduated from the Royal Military College of CanadaRoyal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
in 1914. He joined the Royal Canadian Engineers, into which he was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1915.
World War I
He served in Canada until March 1916 when he went overseas with the 3rd Canadian Division Signal Company which, was composed of engineers.He fought on the Western Front with the Royal Canadian Engineers from 1916 to 1918. He became a staff officer with the 9th Brigade in March 1917, dealing with supply and personnel. He became a "staff learner" and acted as liaison officer between forward battalions and brigade headquarters. He returned to Canada in 1919 and was stationed at St. John as an engineer officer.
Between the wars
He attended the School of Military Engineering, Chatham, England, for eighteen months. He was an instructor at the RMCRoyal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. He returned to Halifax and served on duty during the miners' strike at Glace Bay. He worked in the Survey Department in Ottawa. In 1924, he was appointed as an instructor at RMC
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in field engineering. He attended the Staff College at Quetta, British India and returned to Quebec, Canada in 1930. In 1939, as a Lt-Col, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London, England.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
General Burns successively commanded the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade
4th Canadian Armoured Brigade
As of 1942 the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade comprised:* 21st Armoured Regiment * 22nd Armoured Regiment * 28th Armoured Regiment...
, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division
1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
, the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
5th Canadian (Armoured) Division
5th Canadian Division was a Canadian division during World War II. Following its redesignation from '1st Canadian Armoured Division', the bulk proceeded overseas in one main convoy, arriving in the UK at the end of November 1941....
(January 1944 to March 1944), and then finally the I Canadian Corps
I Canadian Corps
I Canadian Corps was one of the two corps fielded by the Canadian Army during World War II. From December 24, 1940 until the formation of the First Canadian Army in April 1942, there was a single unnumbered Canadian Corps...
(March 1944 until November 1944). His performance as a corps-level commander proved to be controversial, despite the successes of the Canadian forces in the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
, and so he was replaced as commander of I Canadian Corps by Lieutenant-General Charles Foulkes.
Civilian life
He served as Deputy Minister of Veterans’ Affairs. He served as a President of the UNAC during the 1950s.He played a critical role in the Middle East peace process from 1954 to 1959. He was instrumental in developing UN peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
. As Chief of Staff in 1954, United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) was designed to maintain the General Armistice Agreements until permanent peace could be formulated.
He served as a Special Staff of the Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine (1954–56) with the Department of External Affairs and was thus nearby when the Suez Crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
of 1956 occurred. He led the UNEF
United Nations Emergency Force
The first United Nations Emergency Force was established by United Nations General Assembly to secure an end to the 1956 Suez Crisis with resolution 1001 on November 7, 1956. The force was developed in large measure as a result of efforts by UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and a proposal...
from November 1956 to December 1959. He was Canada’s principal disarmament
Disarmament
Disarmament is the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons. Disarmament generally refers to a country's military or specific type of weaponry. Disarmament is often taken to mean total elimination of weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear arms...
negotiator from 1960-68.
He held the chair of Strategic Studies at the Norman Paterson School for International Affairs, Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
from 1969-75. He wrote “Between Arab and Israeli” (1962); “General Mud: memoirs of two World Wars” (1970) and "Defense in the Nuclear Age" (1976).
Honours
He was awarded the Military Cross for maintaining communications under heavy fire, and, for the same action at the Somme, his non-commissioned officers received Military Medals.In 1967 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
for his services to Canada at home and abroad. He was described as a Former Chief of General Staff and Canadian adviser on disarmament in Geneva. He was the 1981 recipient of the Pearson Medal of Peace
Pearson Medal of Peace
The Pearson Medal of Peace is an award given out annually by the United Nations Association in Canada to recognize an individual Canadian's "contribution to international service". Nominations are made by any Canadian for any Canadian, excluding self-nominations. The award is named in honour of...
for his work in the military of Canada.
He is a 2010 induction to the Wall of Honour at the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
.
There is a park located in Nepean
Nepean, Ontario
- Recent quantity of snow :- History :Nepean Township, originally known as Township D, was established in 1792 and originally included what is now the central area of Ottawa west of the Rideau River. Jehiel Collins, from Vermont, is believed to have been the first person to settle in Nepean...
named after him.
Memorial
A mannequin at the Royal Military College of CanadaRoyal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
wears “Tommy” Burns' khaki army uniform jacket, covered with medals and wrapped with a Sam Browne belt.
Books
- 4237 Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) "Swords and Covenants" Rowman And Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976.
- H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada" 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto PressUniversity of Toronto PressUniversity of Toronto Press is Canada's leading scholarly publisher and one of the largest university presses in North America. Founded in 1901, UTP has published over 6,500 books, with well over 3,500 of these still in print....
, 1969. - H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982
- H16511 Dr. Richard Preston "R.M.C. and Kingston: The effect of imperial and military influences on a Canadian community" 1968
- H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984
- Burns, Lieutenant-General E.L.M. (1962) Between Arab and Israeli. George G. Harrap.
External links
- Pearson Medal of Peace - E.L.M. "Tommy" Burns
- Eedson Louis Millard Burns at The Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia is a source of information on Canada. It is available online, at no cost. The Canadian Encyclopedia is available in both English and French and includes some 14,000 articles in each language on a wide variety of subjects including history, popular culture, events, people,...
- Burns, E.L.M. General mud : memoirs of two World Wars. Toronto : Clarke, Irwin, 1970. 254 p.
- Details of war service from generals.dk
- Details of war service from ordersofbattle.com