Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late George Burton, a tailor, born 1839 in Leicestershire, and his wife Sarah Burton (nee Platts, married in the 3rd quarter of 1862 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district) a tailoress, born 1843 in Coalville, Leicestershire. Harold Sidney was born in the 1st quarter of 1873 in Whitwick, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, a sister Louisa Sarah, born 11th January 1867 in Whitwick, in April 1881 the family home was at Castle Street, Whitwick. In April 1891 Harold was employed as a school teacher and was residing in the family home at Chapel Street, Hugglescote and Donington, Leicestershire, together with his widowed mother. In March 1901 Harold was absent from the family home at Holly Leas, London Road, Coalville, residing there was his widowed mother, Harold was employed as an assistant school master and was residing as a boarder at 51, Lynette Avenue, Clapham, Surrey. In April 1911 Harold was absent from the family home at Charnwood House, London Road, Coalville, residing there was his widowed mother who was living on her own means, Harold was employed as an assistant school master and was residing as a boarder at 15, Lessar Avenue, Clapham, Surrey. Harold also had the following siblings, Alice Maud, born in the 3rd quarter of 1863 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, Henry Platts, born in the 1st quarter of 1865 in Swannington, Leicestershire and George Frederick , born 31st December1868 in Whiwick, Leicestershire. Harold was a schoolmaster by profession, and was educated at King’s College, London.
Harold enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 14th September 1914 at 27, St. John’s Hill, S.W., and was allotted the service number 2895. He gave his present address as 15, Lessar Avenue, South Side, Clapham Common, S.W.
He confirmed that he had previously with The Queen’s Westminster’s (Territorial Force) for 4 years.
His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 34 years 6 months, that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 36½ and 39 inches and his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his sister, Mrs. A. Amos, Drapers, Field Street, Shepshed, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. To The London Regt. Pte. 14/9/14.
Embodied Service commenced. 14/9/14.
Embarked. Southampton. 14/3/15.
Appointed. Acting Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 22/3/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 26/5/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 14/9/14 – 14/3/15. 182 days.
France. 15/3/15 – 26/5/15. 73 days.
Total Service. 255 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 25 May-15 – GIVENCHY. Orders received in afternoon that Battalion was to attack German trench at J.7, 200 yards South. Casualties 499, including 3 officers killed and 10 wounded. See Appendix I.
The War Diary records: 26 May-15 – GIVENCHY. Battalion relieved from captured German trench by 20th Battalion THE LONDON REGIMENT and commenced to leave trenches at 3.00pm. Marched to LE QUESNOL and billeted. Lieutenant F. SUTWHILE appointed to Command No.1 Company (“A” and “B” Companies amalgamated).
Appendix I
Report of Operations May 25th – 26th 1915 (COPY). 28/5/15.
To: Brigadier General Commanding
142nd Infantry Brigade.
From: Officer Commanding 23rd Battalion The London Regiment.
Sir,
I have the honour to report as follows on the operations on the 25th and 26th inst. in which this Battalion took part and to bring the under mentioned names of Officers, N.C.O.’s and men to your notice for your consideration:-
The assault was ordered for 6.30pm and at this hour No.13 and 14 platoons of “D” Company (led by Lieutenant Wood and C.S.M. Hammond) went over the parapet as one man and captured their allotted section of the enemy trench at the cost of about 14 casualties.
There was very great congestion in our communication trenches at this time and there was some difficulty in feeding the supporting platoons into Scottish Trench. This was remedied by advancing the supports across the open from NEW CUT to SCOTTISH TRENCH.
Two telephone wires were sent out with the leading platoons and I was in communication with the captured trench three minutes after it had been taken.
The Battalion advanced by double platoons at regular intervals and by about 8.00pm the whole Battalion was in the captured trench.
At about 8.45pm I received a message that the captured trench was being badly enfiladed by rifle and machine gun fire from the left. Our machine guns went into action from UPPER CUT but were unable to prevent this fire continuing.
The telephone then broke down and though several efforts were made to run out another line, the wire was always cut.
During the whole night very heavy casualties were suffered by the Battalion as they were being enfiladed from both sides. In fact the shrapnel and H.E. fire from the right was enfilading our section of the trench at an angle of about 5˚ from the rear.
On Thursday June 17th 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – FORMER WHITWICK TEACHER KILLED. – Mrs. F. Amos, of Field-street, Shepshed, received information from Sergt-Major Gardner, in France, of the death of her brother, Lance-Corporal SIDNEY BURTON, of the 23rd London Regiment. Since then she has received official intimation that the sad intelligence is correct. Deceased was formerly a teacher at the Whitwick National Schools, and after a successful college career became assistant master at the Wertemburg-street L.C.C. Schools, from whence he joined the regiment mentioned. Mr. F. J. Lovell, the headmaster of the schools, writing to Mrs. Amos, says; “He was a big-hearted man, who will be much missed and regretted here; a good colleague, and as unselfish as he was courageous.” His brother in London, writing from information obtained from those who were in the same fight, and who have returned wounded, says; “Sidney stopped to bind up a wounded soldier, and was killed by shrapnel whilst in the act.”

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 14th 1915:

"Whitwick Soldier describes life at the Front - Interesting narrative.

A long and interesting letter, dated May 5th, has been received by Mr G. F. Burton, of Whitwick, from Lance-Corporal H. S. Burton, of the 23rd London Regiment, who gives as his address: “La Belle France – Somewhere.”

He says, “I am writing this in a little lean-to with wattled walls and corrugated zinc roof resting against the earthwork capped with sandbags which forms our second line of defence here. The floor is warmly carpeted with sheaves of unthreshed wheat brought from a neighbouring barn with battered walls. (I wonder where the peasant owners of all these ruins are and what must be their feelings). This little dug-out I am sharing with another, who at the present moment is struggling with a dog biscuit and cheese. A lighted candle fixed in the wattles lights up this luxurious little guard-room, for that is what it is. For the next 24 hours I am the corporal in charge of the guard of six who guard the communication trenches which concentrate near here. The remainder of the guard are in the next dug-out. This job gives one more spare time than usual. As I write, German bullets are whistling and hissing over the parapet above. Our boys and theirs are indulging in a little unfriendly fusillade from the first line of trenches on the off-chance of hitting somebody. Someone has caught a “packet,” for a call for stretcher-bearers is being passed along the line.

This makes about the fifth casualty we have heard of today. An owl is just flitting by calling to its mate. I can hear it plainly during the lull. A digging party is just going by. One of them, a chap of over 6ft., has just been struck in the head with a stray shot – hence the call for stretcher bearers. A ration party is just struggling back with tomorrow’s rations. I was on that job last night in the wet and slosh and slippery trenches. Each carries his rifle slung and a bandolier. One is struggling by with a tin of biscuits, another with a box of “bully,” another with the mail, another with a bag of army loaves, jam, bacon, cheese, tea and sugar etc. Just here the communication trenches are very bad. They twist and wind in and out behind houses and barriers and earthworks and through open country for over half a mile to the battalion’s local and temporary headquarters and stores – usually some battered building with sandbagged windows, as near the firing line as safely possible. The enemy observers like to find these spots and direct their artillery shell fire on them when possible. Digging parties are a nightly occurrence for improving communication trenches etc. We were digging in one trench the other night and raising the earthworks when the Boches turned their machine guns on – fortunately the shots were just too high. Talk about flopping down. We did it like lightening and the language was most picturesque as we lay at the bottom of the trench. It was anything but complimentary to Monsieurs les Allemands.”

“Stand to” I can hear the order coming along the line. More later.

“Later – 11:45 pm. Something in the atmosphere tonight. Have been standing to arms for some time, but are now standing down a bit with equipment on and rifles handy. Instructions to reinforce first line (200 yards away) if necessary by communication trench here. Some idea of German attack in the air. They have been very restless lately. We hear that the first line are standing to arms (in the ordinary way only one in three at night and he is supposed to keep a sharp look-out over parapet.) Some engineers are now dashing by struggling with long poles. They say our bombardment is to start at 12:30. Our line curves around somewhat and we are subject to a lot of enfilading and have lost rather heavily through it. It has been rumoured for a long time that our line is to be straightened out by an attack on the wings and that the guns are ready for it. We are in the middle and shall not be concerned in the attack except by dodging enfilade fire. The curve of course is on a somewhat big scale. I am sure the Germans are expecting this for they are working energetically every night on their barbed wire entanglements. We heard their mallets distinctively when last in the first line of trenches near here – 75 yards from them. Our first dose was eight days excluding two nights’ rest in barn at back, since then we have had four days and now again four days, two in reserve and two in on front line. As you probably know, they and we send up flares or rockets which light up the whole country from time to time. To-night as their flares go up they keep sending in a few rounds rapid at our trenches. Our boys reply in kind, so things are lively at present. The bullets plough away into the distance with a loud swishing sound. The skeleton trees and skeleton buildings look ghostly in the artificial light. Another order of “Stand to” is coming along. Some guns are booming in the distance and the rifles are rattling and crackling like fury.”

“Thursday morning – Nothing of importance happened during the night after all, except that we got a little sleep. The shelling of the reserve trenches will commence soon I expect. We had an exciting time yesterday. Seven shells dropped in our vicinity twenty or thirty yards away. It was a case of sitting tight. Then they gave us a few doses of shrapnel and one of our section got hit on the leg – not serious. Our artillery always repay them with interest. We outnumber them in guns now, I am glad to say and also in aeroplanes.

Watching shrapnel firing on aeroplanes is a daily amusement. We have seen very few Taubes here. We have experienced pretty well all the phases of trench warfare, except an attack. (an important exception n’est ce pas?) Bullets, shells, shrapnel, rifle grenades, bombs, trench mortars (nasty things) sniping all the time, sapping (both sides are busy mining), etc., etc. One lives in this atmosphere and gets used to it. The reserve trenches are more dangerous than the first line, as they rarely shell that for fear of hitting their own. When in the first line before, about a mile from here, we had nothing but clay dug-outs and waterproof sheets to lie on – not the warmest of beds. Have written at much greater length than I anticipated, but one could write a book, there is so much here to experience, to interest, to excite and to describe. After two days in the first line we go back some miles to rest and to civilisation, away from ruins and desolation. No civilians are to be seen near the firing line. When in billets (mostly barns for the men), I am the company interpreter and live with the company staff. I was given my stripe for this and am relieved at those times from guards and fatigues. The life to me is extremely interesting, and always provided I can dodge accidents, I enjoy it although it is anything but a picnic. I get the “Times” sent out direct to me so get reliable news and keep in touch with things. Must dry up they are calling for letters. We usually get them collected each day. You might let Sam Clamp see this when you can. He asked me to write him de temps en temps.”

L-Corpl. Burton is a brother of Mr G. F. Burton and before the war was engaged as a schoolmaster in London. He is a native of Whitwick."

Coalville Times article - Friday May 28th, 1915

LIFE IN THE TRENCHES

ANOTHER INTERESTING LETTER FROM A WHITWICK MAN

Mr G. F. Burton, of Whitwick, has just received another interesting letter from his brother, Mr H. S. Burton, at the front. He writes:

“This is our third day here in the front line trenches. We are here four days. Things have been humming al l along this line, English and French, for over a week now. (The French starts next to our battalion, we are at the end of the line).

The whole area is a sight. It is one labyrinth of trenches (real trenches with sandbag parapets, dug-outs, craters, ridges, brick-heaps, debris, and barbed wire entanglements. It is the most uninteresting spot we have yet struck. The trenches are deep and pretty safe. Some of them are German made (the Germans make excellent trenches and dug-outs). They cannot be taught much in the art of war – in fact I am afraid it is very much the other way. As one of the sapping engineers here said yesterday ‘They can teach us something every day.’ Their determination and thoroughness, their preparations and skill I am afraid mean making this a long job, ie., if fighting pure and simple has to finish the war. Their system and organisation for same far in advance of ours. Last Sunday we were in support trenches some distance back while a terrific bombardment was carried out on the German lines opposite the trenches we occupied when I last wrote you. The casualty lists will tell their own tale.

The French on our right as you read made excellent progress. We heard their bombardment all last Saturday. Last night we were standing to all night and giving the Germans opposite ten rounds rapid at intervals – in the nature of a demonstration. An hour before dawn our artillery started another attack on our left – about a mile away. From our parapets we could see the line of bursting shells and explosions and flashes along the German lines. This time we had the help of some French batteries of 75’s which fire stronger explosives. For an hour they gave them hell and then made the attack, which I hear has been a great success. I hear that in the last attack the Germans were found to have cemented their trenches and dug-outs. Consequently they were ready for the attack which followed the bombardment and I hear from those who actually took part in the attack, that they were literally fighting for places on the parapet to get a pop at our men and absolutely laughing and jeering at them.

However, they seem to have paid for it this morning. This spot is an area of mines and counter-mines from end to end. Have had the experience of seeing three out of the four mines explode during the last two days. The Germans were short. Our sappers found themselves working under a German mine. Their digging and voices could be heard so it was promptly decided to blow them up. This was done at dawn yesterday. We retired to our reserve trenches just behind while it happened. It was for all the world like a volcano explosion. Some of the craters here are tremendous and have to be watched by both sides as they make fine shelters for bomb throwers. Bomb throwing and rifle grenades have been going on at intervals all day. Between the lines are three dead Germans – been there since February when the last scrap for the brickfields took place. I understand there are any amount of dead bodies lying about but are hidden by long grass, debris and buried by mine explosions. Germans, English and French lie rotting out all along between the lines. I went along one of our mines yesterday – almost under the German trench. We have had no casualties so far – thanks to the excellent trenches.

We have had the usual accompaniments today – shelling and shrapnelling reserve trenches, artillery duels, aeroplane flights, sniping (chiefly German) all the time. Some of the shells seem to skim just over the top of our parapet. There is a regular staff of miners here – mainly colliers. Have just heard good news from ‘up the line.’ I hope it is true. I can imagine it is from what I saw this morning. I hear the Guards got through with very few casualties. It is a funny sort of Sunday evening – but then there is no difference between Sunday and any other day. It is beginning to get dark. We shall stand to arms on the parapet soon and then the long watch through the night. We get our sleep by turns in the daytime here. Last Friday (resting six miles away) we were roused up at one o’clock to march off here at an hour’s notice. The language!!

One must keep strict watch here on account of them creeping up with bombs. Flares are pretty freely used at night. D Co. during the night had the good fortune to capture two German prisoners. They were engineers or working party and jumped down into our trench by mistake when our fusillade started. “Stand to!” – More later.

Monday morning – Just heard our attack was a big success and that we have taken three trenches and 3,000 prisoners and a number of guns by breaking through at two points.”

Coalville Times article - Friday June 18th, 1915:

Whitwick Soldier Killed - Brother of Citizen Corps Commander

Official intimation from the War Office was received by Mr G. F. Burton (Commander of the Whitwick and Thringstone Citizen Corps) on Wednesday morning, that his brother, Lance-Corpl. H. S. Burton, had been killed in action. The deceased soldier had recently written some splendid letters to his brother. He was a schoolmaster in London and volunteered soon after the outbreak of war. Further particulars and a photograph will appear in our next issue.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 25th, 1915:

Former Whitwick School Teacher - Killed while attending a wounded comrade.

As briefly intimated in our last issue, Lance-Corporal H. S. Burton, brother of Mr G. F. Burton, commander of the Whitwick and Thringstone Citizen Corps, was killed in action on May 25th or 26th.

The official news from the War Office was received by Mr Burton on Wednesday in last week.

Prior to that a letter had been received from C.-Quartermaster Gardner, dated June 9th in which he stated: “I am sorry to have to inform you that your friend L-Corpl. H. S. Burton was killed in action on May 25th or 26th whilst attacking the Germans. Fortunately, the trenches taken were held but the losses were heavy. Please accept my sincere sympathy.”

Another account says that the fatal shell badly wounded five or six of deceased’s chums.

L.-Corpl. H. S. Burton was born at Whitwick, being the youngest son of the late Mr George Burton. He started as a monitor at the Whitwick Church School on July 5th, 1883, and commenced as a pupil teacher at the same school on November 3rd, 1891. Afterwards he held a teaching appointment at Hucknall Torkard, and he later entered King’s College, Strand, of which he became an associate when he received the cap and gown. Before the war broke out he was assistant master at the Clapham School under the London County Council, a position he had held for 20 years. During this time he had served in the London volunteers and in September last he joined the first 23rd London Regiment, in which he became lance-corporal and French interpreter. He had travelled considerably in France and Germany and knew both languages well.

While in the trenches he wrote some most graphic and interesting letters to his brother, Mr G. F. Burton, some of which we were privileged to publish in these columns.

Mr F. J. Lovell, the head master of the Clapham school, writing to Mr G. F. Burton, says, “He was a big-hearted man, who will be much missed and regretted here; a good colleague, and as unselfish as he was courageous.” His brother in London writing from information received from those who were in the same fight, and who have returned wounded says: “Sidney stopped to bind up a wounded soldier, and was killed by shrapnel whilst in the act.”

Coalville Times article - Friday July 2nd, 1915:

Memorial Service at Whitwick Church for two local men killed in action - An impressive sermon.

A memorial service was held at the Whitwick Parish Church on Sunday morning for Lance-Corpl. H. S. Burton and Pte. E. Tugby, two Whitwick soldiers who have been killed in action. The Citizen Corps of Coalville, Whitwick and Thringstone, with the Whitwick Holy Cross Band and boy scouts also attended, and there was a large congregation, the church being packed. The flag was flying over the church at half-mast. At the foot of the altar were placed two wreaths, composed of evergreens, tied with ribbons of the national colours. The hymns sung included, “Jesu, lover of my soul,” “On the resurrection morning,” and “For ever with the Lord.” At the close of the service, the organist, (Mr R. West) effectively played the Dead March, the congregation standing meanwhile, and after this, two of the Whitwick boy scouts, Buglers James Richards and Albert Williamson from the altar steps sounded “The Last Post,” which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem.

The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. T. W. Walters, M.A.), who preached an impressive sermon, from the text St. John 11c. 32v. “Lord, if Thou hadst been here my brother had not died.” He said they had come together that morning, not for the first time, to keep in remembrance some of the men who had fallen in the war now raging on the Continent. Since they met together there before two things had happened. First of all they had witnessed the huge casualty lists published daily. At first they were small and came only rarely, but when the lists came as they had been doing during the past four or five weeks, they began to realise the greatness of the fight in which they were engaged. And part as a result of the publication of those casualty lists and as a result of the cry of the men who are fighting for us in France and in Flanders, the nation, the empire was awakening. During the past few days they had witnessed, as it were, the stirring of a mighty giant and knew that they would soon see it fully awake and using its great power to the fullest extent. Alongside this mighty empire of ours during the last 44 years, ever since the close of the last Continental war in 1871, they had witnessed growth and development in men and in power of another great empire which had become so powerful in the centre of Europe that it had persuaded itself that it could easily master the other mighty empire that existed alongside it – the British empire. And it was more easily for it to persuade itself of that because it thought that the British empire had fallen asleep. We never suspected that the German empire was making such preparations and were preparing such instruments of war to be levelled against us and at last the day came. The day that had been toasted and which the enemy had been praying for arrived, and war was declared. Yet we went for about for weeks and months in a false sense of security. Now the nation was realising that unless something wonderful could be done in the way of supplying our men with the munitions they require, something awful would happen to this island home of ours. We were living today in the most critical days since the year 1066, the time of the Norman conquest, when a hostile force landed near Hastings and took this island from the English. In less than ten years the Normans spread over the land and got a bull from the Pope declaring that it was illegal to place in high positions in the church of this land any man who could be proved to be an Englishman. He must be a foreigner, a man who had come with conquering armies from Normandy, and if the Germans came to England in these days – if it would be very much the same. We should lose everything and the vast majority would lose their lives also. Foreigners would fill all the leading professions, take all positions of trust, and we should be trodden underfoot and become the serfs of the land as our forefathers were the serfs of the Normans for a few centuries after the last invasion and conquest of this island. The people were beginning to realise that and so this great giant, the mighty British empire was moving itself. Every man who was worth calling a man was saying that there was not going to be another invasion of this island, and if they could not go out to fight on the battlefield they were fighting in the great industrial army at home. When they looked at the vastness of the war they could not realise it. During the whole of the 19th century it was estimated that the wars in Europe cost four thousand million pounds, but this amount would soon be put in the shade by cost of the present war. If they went on at the present rate, in 12 months from now, this war would have cost the British people no less than one thousand, one hundred million pounds. All the wars of the 19th century only cost a little over three times that amount. This war was also taking men at a terrific rate. Already Great Britain had lost five times as many officers and seven times as many men as were lost during the whole of the Boer war, and, apparently, they were only at the beginning. They could not say how long it was going to last. They asked themselves what was the cause of it? The answer was not Christianity: not anything that is good, but the ambition – that was the sole word that could describe it – the ambition of a man, or a small class of men in Central Europe. It seemed a shame and the blackest crime in history that one man, or one man with a few supporters, should have such immense and awful power that they could plunge not only their own country but the whole world in such an awful state as this.

Section damaged and unclear –

So he was pleased that a large number had gone from Whitwick and more would go he felt sure. But two who were from Whitwick had gone to their long lost home. Both were well known in Whitwick. They were both scholars in the church school, and one was apprenticed to the teaching profession in their school. He was working in London when the war broke out and being touched as hundreds of thousands had been touched, he offered his services for his country, was sent out to France, and there in that glorious company of thousands who had fallen, he fell, and now lay buried in a foreign land. The other was much younger, just over 21 years of age. He landed in France on his 21st birthday. Little did I think, continued the preacher, when I spoke to him in April last in Leicester Road, as I wished him goodbye that that would be the last time that I should speak to him. He was a member of our men’s service here and on the 28th of last month, he wrote me a very beautiful letter. I thought I would just read you a line or two from the letter I received. He said, ‘I am sorry if I am wasting your time but I must say a word about the Sunday services. As there are five Sundays in this month I expect you will have a mixed one – he referred to the combined service on every fifth Sunday – When I was in civil life I used to think they were grand, but now that I am in the army and away from home I think of these services Sunday after Sunday with loving memories, and as circumstances will not permit me to be with you in person on these afternoons, I am with you in mind.’ And then he goes on to ask me if I will send him a prayer book and report of the men’s service. These things were being parcelled up to send to him when the news came that he had been killed. On June 7th, a Monday, a shell came and burst near him. He was killed instantaneously, and so Ernest Tugby goes in the glorious company of thousands more buried in a foreign land with his other brother from this parish, Lance-Corporal H. S. Burton.

The remaining section of the article is ripped and missing.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 24th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In dear remembrance of Lance-Corporal H. Sidney Burton, killed in action, May 26th, 1915.

Loo.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 05/09/2017