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Robert O'Hara Burke Robert O'Hara Burke i(A54286 works by)
Born: Established: 1821 Galway (County),
c
Ireland,
c
Western Europe, Europe, ; Died: Ceased: 1861 Cooper Creek SA / Qld, North East South Australia, Far North South Australia, South Australia,
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1853
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BiographyHistory

Serving in various army regiments before his migration to Australia, Burke joined the Victoria police in April 1853. He gained leadership of a government sponsored expedition and departed from Melbourne on 20 August 1860. The expedition, commonly known as 'The Burke and Wills Expedition' traversed the continent from south to north, reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The return journey was fraught and the expedition suffered loss of life and members of the party separated. Ultimately, both Burke and Wills died en route back to Melbourne and only one member of the expedition survived.

Most Referenced Works

Notes

Last amended 30 Mar 2010 15:00:09
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