Alexander Burton

Alexander Stewart Burton

Alexander Stewart Burton from a Gallaher cigarette card.[1]
Born 20 January 1893
Kyneton, Victoria, Australia
Died 9 August 1915(1915-08-09) (aged 22)
Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch First Australian Imperial Force
Years of service 1914–1915
Rank Lance Corporal
Unit 7th Battalion
Battles/wars

World War I
Awards Victoria Cross[2]
Mention in Despatches[3]

Alexander Stewart Burton VC (20 January 1893 – 9 August 1915) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 August 1914, and embarked with the 7th Battalion (Victoria), on 19 October 1914. He was appointed Lance-Corporal on 10 July 1915 for "having volunteered and taken part in the forcing of Saphead D21 in the face of the enemy".[4] He was awarded the VC for the following act:[2]

[On 9 August 1915, at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, Turkey]... the enemy made a determined counter-attack on the centre of the newly captured trench held by Lieutenant Tubb, Corporals Burton and Dunstan and a few men. [The enemy] advanced up a sap and blew in a sandbag barricade, leaving only one foot of it standing, but Lieutenant Tubb with the two corporals repulsed the enemy and rebuilt the barricade. Supported by strong bombing parties the enemy twice again succeeded in blowing the barricade, but on each occasion they were repulsed and the barricade rebuilt, although Lieutenant Tubb was wounded in the head and arm and Corporal Burton was killed by a bomb while most gallantly building up the parapet under a hail of bombs.

Burton was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton on 28 January 1916.[3]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.

Honours and awards

Ribbon Description Notes
Victoria Cross (VC)[5] 9 August 1915[2]
1914-15 Star[6]
British War Medal[6]
Victory Medal[6]
Mentioned in Despatches 28 January 1916[3]

References

  1. ^ This is a colourised photograph of Burton wearing a prewar militia side cap (see Grants Militaria. WWI Army Equipment Australian and standard AIF tunic, with the VC added later.
  2. ^ a b c London Gazette: no. 29328. p. 10154. 15 October 1915. Retrieved 2007-11-15. (Victoria Cross)
  3. ^ a b c London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29455. p. 1208. 28 January 1916. Retrieved 2007-11-15. (Mentioned in Despatches)
  4. ^ Service record, p. 46.
  5. ^ RELAWM16499.001 - Victoria Cross : 384 Corporal A S Burton, 7 Battalion, AIF, Australian War Memorial
  6. ^ a b c Service record, p. 49.