John Burns takes last journey down Royal Mile

Published on Thursday 3 April 2008 10:34

IT was certainly no ordinary funeral. Traffic was stopped, hundreds lined the streets and tourists reached for their cameras as a horse-drawn hearse wound its way down the Royal Mile.

The procession – believed to be the first of its kind to take place on the famous street in living memory – was staged yesterday as a tribute to Royal Mile "institution" John Burns. Born on the Royal Mile, the 87-year-old lived and worked for most of his life on the street, leading his family to arrange the special send-off.

During his time away from the Royal Mile, Mr Burns served with Arctic convoys, delivering aid to Russia during the Second World War, and his hearse was flanked by 12 fellow veterans from the Russian Convoy Club.

It was followed by more than 100 friends and family, many of whom had come from overseas to pay their last respects.

Mr Burns worked as a bar steward at Edinburgh Castle for 15 years, serving drinks to the servicemen stationed there between 1972 and 1986. He also worked as a caretaker at Huntly House Museum, the Museum of Childhood and the Tolbooth Museum.

In addition, Mr Burns kept the Tolbooth Clock working for many years.

One of 11 children, he went to the old Cranston Primary School in the Canongate before working briefly as a miner.

While serving on the convoys he was almost killed during one trip when his ship, the HMS Marne, was torpedoed and he was thrown into the sea.

Russian Convoy Club Scotland chairman Jock Dempster, 79, of Dunbar, paid tribute to Mr Burns during the funeral service at the Canongate Kirk.

"It is hard to talk about John, as I still can't get to grips with the fact that he has gone," he said.

"He served as a gunner during the Russian convoys and shared experiences that no-one who took part in them will forget.

"The happiest I ever saw him was when he was visited at his nursing home by Vladimir Malygin, the Russian Consul General, who presented him with a medal.

"John couldn't speak, but he could still communicate and you could see how proud he was that day. His family have done him proud today."

The funeral was also attended by Russian Vice-Consul Grigory Antonenkov.

He said: "Today we remember a brave Scot who served his country and his family so well in both war and peace." Mr Burns passed away on Easter Sunday, at the Ferryfield Nursing Home in Ferry Road. He was suffering from bronchial pneumonia.

He is survived by his wife Betty, 83, four daughters, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson.