Dec. 7, 1941 – Boston Celtics 1:2 St. Michael’s, ASL game at Celtic Park, South Boston

The game was staged on the afternoon of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Frannie Quinn (Celtics) and Harry Burness (St. Michael’s) red-carded. Harry Burness would enlist in the Army and perish in France.

Sept. 16, 1944 – Memorial services held for Lt. Henry E. “Harry” Burness at Christ Episcopal Church, Cleary Sq., Hyde Park

According to The Boston Globe: Harry Burness, “serving in the U.S. Army, killed in action in France on Aug. 16, 1944.” Colin Jose’s American Soccer League 1921-31: The Golden Years of American Soccer noted Harry Burness died “on the beaches of Normandy.”

Harry Burness and his brother, Gordon, were among the top players in the Boston area from the 1920s on. Harry played for Philadelphia, New Bedford Whalers, Providence, Boston SC in the American Soccer League.

Gordon Burness, from Montrose, played for Forfar Athletic and Brechin City, then played one game for both the Canadian and U.S. national teams. Gordon played for Toronto Scottish, then Boston SC, Brooklyn, Fall River, New Bedford, Pawtucket, Providence, residing in Needham and working for Exxon Oil Co.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY