 He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Tonbridge School.On 2 October 1882 Burra was granted a Royal Licence allowing him to assume the surname Pomfret in lieu of Burra, and to quarter the Pomfret arms with his own.By 1885 he had become the senior partner in the Ashford Bank, was a magistrate for Kent, and was living at Godinton Park, outside the town.