He won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1930 and 1934. and held Canadian freestyle swimming records in the 1930s.

[1] During this time period, he won a total of 7 medals at the British Empire Games.

[2] At the inaugural British Empire Games in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario Burleigh, aged 16, became the youngest swimmer to represent Canada.

[7][8] At the 1934 British Empire Games in London Burleigh won three gold medals, later describing it as "my finest hour".

[9][10][11] The 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney was Burleigh's last major competition.