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Henry Edward Burstall

1870 – 1945

Canadian general

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About Henry Edward Burstall

Lived 1870 – 1945 (aged 74). Henry Edward Burstall was a Canadian military personnel.

Early life Born at Domaine Cataraqui, Sillery, Quebec, the son of the wealthy merchant John B. Burstall (1832–1896) and Fanny Bell Forsyth, daughter of James Bell Forsyth, the builder of Domaine Cataraqui, in 1831. Burstall was educated at Bishop's College School and the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario (1887–89)(#246).

Military service Major-General Henry Burstall, GOC 2nd Canadian Division, inspecting the horse transport of a Canadian battalion at Pernes, December 1916.

Burstall was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1889. In 1898 he served with the Yukon Field Force. He went to South Africa with the 1st Canadian Contingent during the Second Boer War. From 1901 to 1902, he served with the South African Constabulary in the Transvaal. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in 1908 and commanded the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in 1911.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, C-in-C of the BEF, with Lieutenant General Arthur Currie, GOC of the Canadian Corps, and Currie's senior commanders in Germany, December 1918. Major General Burstall, GOC 2nd Canadian Division, is stood behind Haig.

During the First World War, Burstall was promoted to the temporary rank of brigadier general in September 1914 and became brigadier general, Royal Artillery, 1st Canadian Division from 1914 to 1915. He was promoted to major general in December 1916 and was General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Royal Canadian Artillery from 1915 to 1916. From 1916 to 1918, he was GOC 2nd Canadian Division.

After the war, he was Quartermaster-General at Department of National Defence from 1919 to 1920. From 1920 to 1925. he was the Inspector-General. He retired in 1925, settling in England.

He died in 1945 in Headbourne Worthy, Hampshire, England. a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1917, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1918, and Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1919.

The town of Burstall, Saskatchewan, incorporated as a village in 1921, is named in his honour. Mount Burstall (2760m), which is part of the Spray Range, Kananaskis Park, Alberta, was named in 1918 in his honour.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Royal Military College of Canada
Awards
Companion of the Order of the Bath; Mentioned in Despatches; Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd class; Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George; Commander of the Legion of Honour; Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath; Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George; Croix de guerre 1914–1918; Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France); Legion of Honour; Mentioned in dispatches; Order of Saint Stanislaus (House of Romanov)
Also known as
Sir Henry Edward Burstall

People in Henry Edward Burstall's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Henry Edward Burstall's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Henry Edward Burstall?

Canadian general (1870–1945)

When was Henry Edward Burstall born?

Henry Edward Burstall was born on 26 August 1870 in Domaine Cataraqui.

When did Henry Edward Burstall die?

Henry Edward Burstall died on 8 February 1945 in Headbourne Worthy.

What was Henry Edward Burstall's occupation?

Henry Edward Burstall was a military personnel.

What nationality was Henry Edward Burstall?

Henry Edward Burstall was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Henry Edward Burstall

· Wikidata: Q5720733

· DBpedia: Henry Edward Burstall

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Edward Burstall. https://biography.guide/henry-edward-burstall/

MLA: "Henry Edward Burstall." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-edward-burstall/.

Chicago: "Henry Edward Burstall." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-edward-burstall/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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