Alfred Burne

Alfred Higgins Burne DSO (1886–1959) was a soldier and military historian. He invented the concept of Inherent Military Probability; in battles and campaigns where there is some doubt over what action was taken, Burne believed that the action taken would be one which a trained staff officer of the twentieth century would take.

Career Alfred Burne was educated at Winchester College and RMA Woolwich, before being commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1906. He was awarded the DSO during the First World War and, during the Second World War, was Commandant of the 121st Officer Cadet Training Unit.

He was Military Editor of Chambers Encyclopedia from 1938 to 1957 and became an authority on the history of land warfare.

Burne lived in Kensington and his funeral was held at St Mary Abbots there.