Historical information

On April 21 1874 Thomas and John Burns who were 11 and 9 were on their way to school. On the way they stopped to play with friends at a bark mill located on Percy Street. Thomas decided to feed the machine located in the mill and after he got distracted both his hands became caught. John went to help his brother and his arm also got caught. A doctor had to perform amputations. This resulted in an outpouring of grief and a huge fundraising effort.

Physical description

Clipping from newspaper attached to white card. Black and white photo of Burns brothers standing in a drawing room, one missing both arms, the other an arm and hand, due to accident at a bark mill on Percy Street. Story beneath photo tells of the fundraising effort to help them.

Inscriptions & markings

Back: 'VIVIAN' - handwritten, pencil