Historical information

Many of the poems contained in this book were written by Burns while at school and first appeared in "The Scotch Collegian" which he edited in 1913-1914. Four of his editorials are included. Prose and verse tributes by former schoolmates and fellow soldiers are included, as well as an essay on Burns by the headmaster of Scotch College, W.S. Littlejohn.
James Drummond Burns was born in Geelong in 1895. James was the first of eight children born to Hugh and Mary and while he was born at Geelong the family had moved to Bairnsdale by 1905. As Methodist minister, Hugh had accepted the posting to Bairnsdale where the family stayed till about 1913. He died in Gallipoli on September 18 1915. James was a student when he enlisted on 2 February 1915 at Lilydale, Victoria. He served in the 21st Battalion with the rank of Corporal. His Regimental Number was 805. (ref. Scotch College World War I Commemorative Website)

Significance

This book is a tribute to a WW1 soldier and contains contemporary writing which can be used in research.

Physical description

A thin 32 pp paper back book with a brown cover. On the cover is the title, "In the Dawning of the Day: in Memoriam, J. D. Burns", in black print inside a rectangular red/gold/black line frame.