 During his service he was unpopular and was involved in incidents such as knocking off a corporal's cap and polishing the floor of a corridor to make people slip.In 1941, Burgess was pursued by military police of the British Armed Forces for desertion after overstaying his leave from Morpeth military base with his future bride Lynne.The following year he asked to be transferred to the Army Educational Corps, and despite his loathing of authority he was promoted to sergeant.