Arthur Frederick Burton

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Apr 13, 1896

Born in Drayton England to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burton.

 

Dec 3, 1915

Attested into the 91st Battalion in St. Thomas, Ontario: 

Ø      Number 189540

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Tillie Plewes, friend, 91 Metcalfe St., St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Chauffeur

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

 

Jun 29, 1916

Embarked the RMS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Jul 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England.

 

Jul 15, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling.

 

Sep 9, 1916

While on leave to London, he was admitted to the Endell St. Military Hospital in London diagnosed with Tonsillitis.  While in hospital surgery was performed to remove his tonsils.

 

Oct 2, 1916

Discharged from hospital.

 

Oct 13, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion.

 

Oct 14, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 101 reinforcements from England.

 

Nov 4, 1916

Left the CBD to join the 2nd Entrenching Battalion.

 

Nov 7, 1916

Joined the 2nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin.

 

Dec 12, 1916

Left the 2nd Entrenching Battalion and joined the 21st Battalion in the front line near Bully Grenay.

 

Jan 17, 1917

During the largest trench raid to date by the Allies on the German lines, Private Burton was killed in action at Calonne, France.  On this raid, the Battalion suffered 73 casualties, 11 of them fatal.


He was buried in the Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France.

 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his friend, Mrs T.G. Plewes, 91 Metcalfe St., Ottawa, Ontario.  This was the wrong address and they were returned and subsequently sent to her at 91 Metcalfe St., St. Thomas, Ontario.
 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his brother, Edward C.T. Burton, 4 West Avenue, St. Thomas, Ontario.
 

There was no Memorial Cross issued. 

 


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact