Burgess joined the New Zealand Volunteer Forces in 1898. He initially served with the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles in Timaru and then in 1902 was transferred the New Zealand Regiment of Field Artillery Volunteers, based in Auckland. He was commissioned in 1906, and was promoted to captain three years later.
Burgess joined the New Zealand Volunteer Forces in 1898. He first served with the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles in Timaru before transferring to the New Zealand Regiment of Field Artillery Volunteers based in Auckland in 1902. In 1906, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and promoted to major three years later.