When the First World War broke out, Burston was without a military role but was called up for active duty despite being 58 years of age. He initially served several months on the Home Front as the chairman of the Officers' Selection Committee. In April 1915, he was enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a colonel and appointed commander of the 7th Brigade, which included the 25th to 28th Battalions. He departed Australia with the brigade in June and all elements had arrived in Egypt by early August. The next month, he was promoted to temporary brigadier general. In September, he led the brigade to Gallipoli to participate in the fighting there. His troops took over responsibility for the sector held by the New Zealand and Australian Division. However, his health could not withstand the rigors of the Gallipoli campaign and he was shortly replaced. He took a role as commander of reinforcement troops at Mudros, a staging post for soldiers being sent to Gallipoli, for a time before travelling to England. He returned to Australia in 1916 and, having been promoted to brigadier, was placed on the reserve of officers. A final promotion to major general followed, upon which he retired in January 1920.