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William BURTON (1)

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Surname: BURTON

Forename(s): William

Place of Birth: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Service No: 37746

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Durham Light Infantry

Battalion / Unit: 'B' Coy 18th (Service) Battalion. (1st County)

Division: 31st Division

Age: 29

Date of Death: 1917-05-03

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 2. E. 9.

CWGC Cemetery: CANADIAN CEMETERY NO.2, NEUVILLE-ST VAAST

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: SILSDEN, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

William Burton was the son of Edwin and Mary Ann Burton, née Tomlinson. Edwin was born at Lenton, Nottingham and Mary at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.

1891 Lenton, Nottinghamshire Census: 23, Tyre Street - William Burton, aged 4 years, born Lenton, son of Edwin and Mary A. Burton.

1901 Barton-in-Fabis, Nottinghamshire Census: Little Lunnon - William Burton, aged 14 years, born New Lenton, Nottinghamshire, son of Edwin and Mary Ann Burton.

William Burton was married to Fanny Aldersley in 1910. Fanny was the cousin of Private Ernest Aldersley (154978) (q.v.). Fanny married William's brother, Edwin, in 1920. Edwin was the father of L/Bdr Charles Edwin Burton, 798490, 16th Bty., 2nd H.A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery, who died on the 26th/27th April, 1941. Age 31. Charles died whilst being evacuated from Greece when the ship that he was on was sunk by enemy action. He is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece.

1911 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: West Street - William Burton, aged 24 years, born Nottingham, husband of Fanny Burton.

The British Army Service Record for William Burton exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte William Burton, 37746, Durh. L. I. Dead.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte William Burton, 37746, Base Durh. L. I.; 18th Durh. L. I. Deceased.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte William Burton, 37746, 18th Bn Durham L. I. Date and Place of Death: 3.5.17. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Fanny. £2 8s. 2d. Self and child. War Gratuity: Widow - Fanny. £3 0s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for William. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Fanny, born 28.11.87. Date of marriage: 9.7.10. Address: West Street, Gargrave, Leeds, Yorks. Children: Mildred Mary Burton Aldersley, born 20.7.09. Florence Branda, born 18.6.11.

William was originally commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing (Bay 8). When the remains of William and Private Joseph Thomas Phillips (37749) were found, remains were also discovered of other 18th Bn D.L.I. men who had been killed on the same day. These soldiers also lie in Canadian Cemetery No.2, Neuville-St. Vaast in unknown D.L.I. soldier graves. These graves probably include those of William's friends – Private Fred Murphy (37757) and Private Thomas Lister Mitchell (37755) (see ‘Craven Herald’ 18 May 1917).

A short biography of William is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

BURTON, William, [Gargrave], aged 30, D.L.I., killed in action May 3, 1917.

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Private William BURTON

Private William BURTON

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Durham Light Infantry

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Durham Light Infantry

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BURTON

Forename(s): William

Born: Nottingham

Residence: Silsden, near Keighley

Enlisted: Keighley

Number: 37746

Rank: Private

Regiment: Durham Light Infantry

Battalion: 18th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 03/05/17

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BURTON

Forename(s): William

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 37746

Rank: Private

Regiment: Durham Light Infantry

Unit: "B" Coy. 18th Bn.

Age: 29

Awards:

Died Date: 03/05/1917

Additional Information: Son of Edwin and Mary Ann Burton of Nottingham; husband of Fanny Burton, of Reservoir House, Winterburn, Yorkshire. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: LOVED AND REMEMBERED ALWAYS BY FAN, MILL AND BREN. R.I.P.)

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'Craven Herald & Pioneer' (3 February 1956)

(Kindly supplied by Catherine Liddle)

CIGARETTE CASE DUGUP ON BATTLEFIELD - Belonged to Silsden man killed in 1917

On May 3 1917, nine months after joining the Army, Private William Burton of Silsden was killed when a shell exploded as he was moving up the line on the Western Front with the 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. His name was inscribed on the Memorial at Arras to soldiers with no known grave.

Recently a French farmer ploughed up a grave in which there were the bodies of five soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry, and with one of the bodies was a silver cigarette case with the initials and date "W.B." 1895 in the centre. There was also a silver plated dessert spoon bearing the initial "B" together with the regimental initials "DLI."

The cigarette case and spoon have been sent by the Imperial War Graves Commission to Mrs. Fanny Burton of Reservoir House, Winterburn, near Skipton, who has identified them as belonging to her first husband. Mrs Burton says she well remembers the silver cigarette case as her first husband came home for a 24 hour leave before departing for France and she asked him to leave the cigarette case at home as he might lose it.

At the time Private Burton was killed, three of his brothers were serving in France and in 1920 Mrs Burton married her dead husband's eldest brother Edwin.

The War Graves Commission has informed Mrs Burton that the bodies have now been buried in the Canadian Cemetery at Neuville St. Vaast, France, and a cross has been erected on his grave and Mrs. Burton has sent an inscription which she wishes placing on the cross.

Before joining the Army, Private William Burton was employed as head gardener by Mr Frank Driver, Moorfields, Swartha, Silsden, and previously he was employed as a gardener by Mr J.W. Coulthurst at Gargrave House and by Mr J.W. Standeven at Scale House.

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18 May 1917

BURTON - May 3rd 1917, killed in action in France, Private William Burton, Durham Light Infantry, formerly gardener at Moorfield, Silsden, aged 30 years.

18 May 1917

SILSDEN GARDENER KILLED - PRIVATE WILLIAM BURTON

Enlisting from Silsden in the Durham Light Infantry on August 9th 1916, Private William Burton has fallen a victim to the Huns, at the age of 30. A gardener by occupation, he filled situations at Gargrave House, Scale House, near Rylstone, and latterly at Moorfield, Silsden (the residence of Mr. Frank Driver, J.P.) and went out to France on November 21st last. He leaves a widow (a Gargrave woman) and two children. No official news has yet reached Mrs. Burton from the War Office, but she has received the following letter from a war pal, a Bradford man:-

"Dear Mrs. Burton, - It is with deep and heartfelt sympathy I write to tell you that Will was killed in action on Thursday, May 3rd by a shell, on his way to the trenches, and the same shell also killed Fred Murphy and Tom Mitchell. We have all been pals together since coming out here, and we feel the loss of all of them as if they were brothers. This is the saddest task I have ever undertaken to write you, but I feel we would rather we told you. May God be with you in your hour of trial, comfort you, and strengthen you to face the future. Your grief is shared to a smaller extent by his sorrowing pals who have proved his worth out here in all circumstances.

"Sincerely your friends, W. E. INGHAM and Wm. MEARES."

[Private William Edgar Ingham (37720) survived the war. Private William Meares (37712) was killed in action on the 10 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing (Bay 8).]

15 June 1917

IN MEMORY OF SEVEN SILSDEN FALLEN HEROES

There was a large congregation at the Parish Church on Sunday morning last, when a service was held in memory of seven young men from Silsden who have recently paid the great sacrifice for King and Country.

The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. E. E. Peters, M.A.,) who said they were met that morning, when all nature seemed to speak of joy and gladness, under very solemn and sad circumstances to pay their tribute of respect and affection to the memory of seven gallant men who had given their lives for their country. They were:- Private Fred Hardy, Private Edgar Raw, Private Harry Wade, Private William Burton, Private Willie Saddington, Private John William Baldwin, and Private Charles Henry Gill.

By their presence and by taking part in that service, they gave some expression of the heartfelt sympathy which they felt with the sorrowing relatives.

Private Fred Hardy had not been resident a great many years in Silsden, but he had gained many friends by reason of his cheerful disposition and his pleasant and amiable manners. When the call came he left his wife and his happy and comfortable home to go forth in order to do his duty. They knew how he was wounded, brought to a Casualty Clearing Station, and how for some days there was terrible anxiety as to how the balance would turn. During that time he either wrote himself, or dictated to the good and sympathetic chaplain, most brave and cheerful letters in which he thought of his wife, not at all of himself. He derived great comfort from the consolation of religion, and the chaplain was able to write to his wife and assure her how he died in the faith and fear of Jesus Christ.

Private Edgar Raw was one who gave an early answer when the call first came. He had not the pleasure of knowing him personally, but everyone spoke in the very highest terms of him. He was a most excellent young man, active in religious work, and left behind him a fragrant memory.

He then came to one whose loss had been a peculiarly intimate one to him as well as a personal sorrow, for he knew him well, and like everyone else who knew him, he had a great regard for him. He referred to Private Harry Wade, a young man of great promise and blameless character, a true simple-hearted Christian and loyal Churchman, and a regular communicant to whom he had had the great privilege of administering on more than one occasion since he joined the Army the Holy Sacrament. He was a young man, home loving and home keeping; yet, one who felt it his duty to volunteer to defend his country. Although he had no taste for military life, he nevertheless made a thoroughly good soldier, and one of whom his officer spoke in the very highest terms. His officer said he showed great capability, was always reliable and trustworthy, and one whom he could chose to do important work and knew it would be carried out well. Now he had gone to the home above and left them a very heavy loss indeed.

Private William Burton, who was probably not known to a great many of them, was held in high esteem by those who knew him. He was the gardener at Moorfield, and a man who was thoroughly efficient in his work and took a great delight in it. He, too, was very comfortable in his home with his wife and two children, and had gained the confidence and esteem of his employer. He and three other men were killed going to the trenches by a German shell.

Then he came to one who was well known to all of them - Private Willie Saddington - a young man who was brought up in their Sunday School. He had the distinction, as was generally known, of being one of the five soldiers in Silsden who, at mobilisation, was called up to the Colours at the very beginning of the war. He believed his father was also one of the original five. He had honourable military traditions in his family, and since the war broke out - he was a Territorial, as they knew - he at once volunteered for active service. He was kept back in England for some time on account of being a member of a military band, and at last he went out and had not been long at the Front before he fell doing his duty honourably and gallantly.

Private John Wm. Baldwin was a man much older than those of whom he had spoken. He was a soldier of that grand Army - the old original regular Army. He had served his country in South Africa, served his time in the reserves; a man time expired when the war broke out, and well above age, but still he volunteered to join the Colours again. He was one of those who during the first terrible months of the war maintained our cause against desperate odds. He was wounded at Hill 60 of bloody memory, the scene last week of our great and glorious victory. He never recovered entirely from his wounds, his health having been grievously affected, and he died at the military hospital at Derby, where he had gained the affection of the staff. He was laid to rest in that Parish Churchyard with military honours in the presence of a large and sympathetic congregation.

It was only the previous week that they heard of the death of Private Charles Henry Gill, one whom the stern necessity of cruel war had made into a soldier. He was a young man of retiring disposition, reserved in his manners to the general public, but one full of family affection, and devoted to his home. He had fallen a victim to the monster, called into being by the Prussian lust of conquest.

He wished to speak of three more of their young men who were in a somewhat different category to those he had already mentioned. He hoped they would not have to mourn them as gone, and prayed that good news might come concerning them. They had all been reported missing:- Sergeant Charles W. Newns, Private Norman Phillip, and Private Jack Riley.

They were all intimately connected with that place of worship, having been taught in their Sunday School. Sergeant Newns was one of the most promising young men they had. He was a splendid young man, a good Sunday School teacher, and a gymnast and athlete. He naturally made a very fine soldier and gained the highest testimony from his officers and also from the men he commanded. The last they had heard of him was that he was seen risking his life for a wounded man. They prayed that it might be the will of Almighty God to restore those men to them, as they could ill afford to lose them. He wished on his own behalf, and on behalf of all of those present, to express deep sympathy with those in great sorrow and affliction. It was hard to express in anything like adequate terms what they felt. They all realised that the inequality of sacrifice was one of the sad things of their life - that some had to sacrifice so much while others, whether they were willing or unwilling, were not called upon to make sacrifices of like character. But he assured them that they appreciated in the most complete manner the offerings of their sons and the husbands and of those so near and dear to them, which had been made in the cause of righteousness and truth.

During the service the hymns, 'The saints on earth and those above', 'On the resurrection morning', and 'O God our help in ages past', were sung.

There was a company of Girl Guides present at the service, in charge of the vicar's wife.

The bells were also muffled as a token of respect to the fallen.

03 May 1918

BURTON - In loving memory of my dear husband, Private William Burton, Durham Light Infantry, Gargrave, who was killed in action May 3rd, 1917.

A loving husband and father kind,
Only beautiful memories left behind;
God will link the broken chain
Closer when we meet again.

From his loving Wife and Children.

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18 May 1917

BURTON - Killed in action, May 3rd, Pte. Wm. Burton, of the Durham Light Infantry, of Gargrave, aged 30.

18 May 1917

PRIVATE WILLIAM BURTON KILLED

Enlisting from Silsden in the Durham Light Infantry on August 9th, 1916, Pte. Wm. Burton, No. 37746, has fallen a victim to the Huns, at the ago of 30. A gardener by occupation, he filled positions at Gargrave House, Scale House, near Rylstone, and at Moorfield, Silsden, and went to France on Nov. 21st last. He leaves a widow (a Gargrave woman) and two children. No official news has yet reached Mrs. Burton from the War Office, but she has received the following letter from a war pal, a Bradford man:- "Dear Mrs. Burton, - It is with deep and heartfelt sympathy I write to tell you that Will was killed in action on Thursday, May 3rd, by a shell on his way into the trenches, and the same shell also killed Fred Murphy and Tom Mitchell. We have all been pals together since coming out here and we feel the loss of all of them as if they were brothers. This is the saddest task I have ever undertaken to write you, but I feel he would rather we told you. May God be with you in your hour of trial, comfort you and strengthen you to face the future. Your grief is shared to a smaller extent by his sorrowing pals who have proved his worth out here in all circumstances. - Sincerely your friends, Wm. Ingham and Wm. Meares."

[Private William Edgar Ingham (37720) survived the war. Private William Meares (37712) was killed in action on the 10 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing (Bay 8).]

15 June 1917

SILSDEN'S GALLANT HEROES - Memorial Service at the Parish Church

A service in memory of Pte. Fred Hardy, Pte. Edgar Raw, Pte. Harry Wade, Pte. Wm. Burton, Pte. W. Saddington, Pte. John Wm. Baldwin, and Pte. Charles Henry Gill, seven of Silsden's gallant heroes who have recently paid the great sacrifice for their King and country, was held at the Parish Church on Sunday morning last. There was a large congregation, and the service was conducted by Rev. E. E. Peters (vicar). As the congregation assembled the organist (Mr. Herbert Cooper) played 'O rest in the Lord,' and during the service the hymns 'The saints on earth, and those above,' 'On the Resurrection morning,' and 'O God our help in ages past' were sung.

In the course of his sermon, the vicar said they were met on that beautiful June morning when all seemed to speak of joy and gladness, in very solemn and very sad circumstances to the honour and glory of God, and to pay their tribute and respect and affection to the memory of seven gallant men who had given their lives for their country - Fred Hardy, Edgar Raw, Harry Wade, Wm. Burton, Willie Saddington, John Wm. Baldwin, and Charles Henry Gill. They were also by their presence, and by their taking part in that service, giving some expression to the heartfelt sympathy which they felt with their sorrowing relations. Fred Hardy had not been resident a great many years in Silsden, but he had many friends by reason of his cheerful disposition and his pleasant, amiable manners. When the call came he left his wife, and his happy and comfortable home, to go forth to do his duty. They all knew how he was wounded, brought to a casualty clearing station, and how for some days there was terrible anxiety as to how the balance would turn. During that time he either wrote himself, or dictated to the good and sympathetic Chaplain, most brave and cheerful letters in which he thought of his wife and not of himself. He derived great comfort from the consolation of religion, and the chaplain was able to write to his wife an assure her of how he died in the faith and fear of Jesus Christ.

Edgar Raw was one who gave an early answer when the call first came. He had not the pleasure of knowing him personally, but everyone spoke in the very highest terms of him, that he was a most excellent young man, active in religious work, and he left behind him a fragrant memory.

Now they came to one whose loss had been a peculiarly intimate one, to him a personal sorrow, for he knew him very well, and like everyone else who knew him, he had a great regard for him. He referred to Harry Wade, a young man of promise and of blameless character, a true simple-hearted Christian, a loyal churchman, a regular communicant, to whom he had the great privilege of administering on more than one occasion since he joined the army, that Holy Sacrament. He was a young man, home loving, and home keeping, yet one who felt it his duty to volunteer to defend his country. Although he had no tastes for the military life yet he made a thoroughly good soldier, one of whom his officer was able to speak in the very highest terms, one he said who showed his capability. He was always reliable, always trustworthy, and one whom he could choose to do important work, knowing that he would carry it out well. They knew how he had gone to the home above; he had left them, a very heavy loss indeed.

Then there was Wm. Burton who was not known probably to many of them, but those who did know him, had a very high esteem of him. He was a gardener, a man who was thoroughly efficient in his work, and took a very great delight in it. He was very comfortable in his home and happy with his wife and two children. He had gained the confidence and esteem of his employer. He and other three men were killed going to the trenches by a German shell.

Then they came to Willie Saddington, one of their own young men brought up in their Sunday School, and whom they all knew very well. He had the distinction of being one of the five soldiers, who at mobilisation at Silsden, was called up to the colours at the very beginning. He also believed that Pte. Saddington's father was another of that original five. He had honourable military traditions in his family. He was a Territorial, and as soon as war broke out, he at once volunteered for active service, but he was kept back in England for some time, being a member of the band. At last he went out, and he had not been long at the front when he fell doing his duty honourably and gallantly.

Then they came to John Wm. Baldwin, a man much older than those of whom he had spoken, a soldier of that old original regular army, a man who had served his country in South Africa, who had served his time on the reserve, a man time-expired when war broke out, and well over age, yet he at once volunteered to join the colours again. He was one of those who during those terrible months of the war maintained our cause against desperate odds. He was wounded at Hill 60 of bloody memory, and the scene last week of our great and glorious victory. He never recovered entirely from his wounds, his health was grievously affected, and he died at the hospital at Derby, where he had gained the affection of the staff, and was laid to rest in the Silsden Parish Churchyard with military honours in the presence of a large and sympathetic congregation.

It was only last week that they heard of the death of Charles Henry Gill, one whom the stern necessity of cruel war had made into a soldier. He was a young man of retiring disposition, reserved in his manners to the general public, but one filled with family affection and devoted to his home. He was not robust in health, but he had fallen a victim to the monster called into being by the Prussian lust of conquest.

There were three others he would speak of that morning, who were in a different category, and they hoped they would not have to mourn them as gone from them. They prayed that news might come of them. Three of their men were posted as missing - Sergt. W, Newnes, Pte. N. Phillip, and Pte. Jack Riley - all three intimately connected with that church and brought up in their Sunday School. W. Newnes was one of the most promising young men they had. He was a splendid young man, a choice young man, a Sunday School teacher, gymnastic, and athlete. He naturally made a very fine soldier, and gained the highest testimony from his officers and the men he commanded. The last that was heard of him was that he was seen risking his life for a wounded soldier. They prayed that it might be the will of the Almighty God to restore them back to their families again. They could ill afford to lose them. He wished on his own behalf, and on behalf of all present, to express their deepest sympathy with those there that day in great sorrow and affliction. It was hard to express in anything like adequate terms what they felt, but they all realised the inequality of the sacrifices was one of the sad things all through life, that some had to sacrifice so much, and others whether they were willing or unwilling, were not called upon to make sacrifices of a like character. He assured them that they appreciated in the most complete manner the offerings of their sons, of their husbands, and of those so near and dear to them, which they had made to the common cause of righteousness and truth.

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