For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an enemy attack. When the detachments had been much reduced by heavy casualties he manned one of the guns with three other officers and kept it in action. Later, he rendered valuable assistance in withdrawing the guns under heavy fire, setting a splendid example of skill and resource.

He is reported to have shown his eye for discerning and revealing the truth at his interview in 1919, and his outstanding capacity for academic and financial administration was soon recognised by his colleagues after he joined the staff - by 1925 he was Secretary to the Durham Colleges' Council, a part-time post held jointly with his lectureship. This was an influential position for anyone interested in University politics and administration, as he was; and he enjoyed it for some thirteen years, which was fortunate for Durham because the early thirties brought serious difficulties in the federal University, culminating in the Royal Commission of 1934. Most of the work with the Commission on Durham's behalf fell on his shoulders, and characteristically he did not shrink from it. He played a large part in the discussions on reconstitution, and although the Durham Council's recommendations were not all implemented, it was due to Burchnall and a small group of others that the Durham Colleges emerged from this chastening period with so much of their character intact. The Secretaryship became a full-time post in 1938, and he handed over its responsibilities, but the difficult foundation work had been done - there was a base from which the present healthy structure has been able to develop.

His acuteness and his practical sense could be relied on to bring discussion to a useful conclusion; as often as not, decision was precipitated by a terse and pithy sentence from him. He saw a little further than most of his colleagues.

No-one ever stayed away from his lectures - an unspoken tribute, not only to the quality of his teaching but also to his fundamental kindness, that must surely have given him considerable pleasure.

... natural expression of the analytic spirit of an age which, alike in its religion, philosophy, politics and physics, is constantly digging itself up by the roots to inspect its processes of growth [but] there is in the thought of today a synthetic and perhaps more significant trend.

After the Second World War, development of the school was possible in many directions. This called for wise planning and control and Professor Burchnall was a leading figure at all stages. His service and loyalty to the school will long be remembered.

Indeed his behaviour in that office was a cameo of his personality - he stood alertly as umpire for hours in spite of his disability - he granted appeals against the University secretary and the Chief Constable apparently with identical equanimity - and smiled a little at the efforts of an ageing team to keep pace with undergraduates, but it was the whimsical smile of a man who had the world in perspective - he knew what was happening, just as he knew what he wanted to happen to the University.

His characteristic caution was leavened by perseverance and faith. His humour grew less sardonic and his essential kindliness more manifest as his years advanced and so much that he had worked for came into reality.

... peacefully, in an armchair by the fire, reading a book.