At the age of 15 Burgess moved to Western Australia where he joined the Amalgamated Workers’ Association (AWA) in Coolgardie, marking the beginning of his lifelong involvement in trade unionism.

[2] Burgess spent 12 years working in the Murchison region, including as acting secretary of the Day Dawn Branch of the AWA.

During this period, he supported local Labor candidates, including Michael Francis Troy, John Barkell Holman, and Edward Ernest Heitmann.

In 1916 As secretary of the Shop Assistants' Union, he brought a libel action against the proprietors of the Sunday Times newspaper over an article that accused him of being a "slacker and shirker" for opposing conscription during World War I.

[3] The case, heard before Chief Justice Sir Robert McMillan and a special jury, ended with a verdict in favor of the defendant.

Members of the bench reviewed applications, made decisions on the granting or renewal of licenses, and ensured that businesses complied with relevant laws and regulations.

On 3 December 1945, Burgess suddenly collapsed and died at his desk while preparing for the annual sitting of the State Licensing Court in Perth.