Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Burton, a coal miner, born on the 25th November 1865 in Ibstock, Leicestershire and his wife Maretta Victoria (Henrietta/Hetty) Burton (nee Matts, married in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district), born on the 17th April 1870 in Sutton Cheney, Leicestershire. George was born in the 4th quarter of 1898 in Ibstock, his siblings were, Samuel, born 24th November 1890 in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, Ann Elizabeth, born on the 8th August 1893 and John Thomas, born on the 12th April 1896, the latter two siblings were both born in Ibstock, in March 1901 the family home was at Deacons Lane, Ibstock. In April 1911 George was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 13, Gladstone Street, Ibstock, together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a coal miner, born in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in Ibstock and his wife Eliza Burton (nee Lawrence, married on the 21st December 1907 in St. Denys Church, Ibstock, Leicestershire), born 1890 in Ibstock and their daughter Annie Elizabeth, born on the 25th January 1909 in Ibstock, Annie, a nurse maid, John, a brick maker’s assistant, William Henry, a schoolboy, born on the 2nd April 1901 and Ernest Albert, a schoolboy, born on the 13th October 1903, the latter two siblings were both born in Ibstock.
George’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 48797, at some point he was transferred to the Suffolk Regiment (1/1st Cambridgeshire Regiment) and allotted the service number 42973. It cannot be confirmed that this was the Regiment with which he embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France, nor the date, however as he was not recorded on the medal rolls for the 1914-15 Star, it must be assumed that it was at some time after the 31st December 1915. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was officially recorded as being killed in action on Wednesday 18th September, 1918, while serving with the 1/1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment. He was buried in Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy, France. George was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records; 17 Sept-18 – 7.00pm. Left NURLU – march route to assembly positions.
The War Diary records: 18 Sept.18 – EPEHY. 1.00am. “A” Company E.5.b. “B” Company E.5.d (In Battalion Reserve). “C” Company E.12.a. “D” Company E.12.a. Battalion Headquarters E.5.d.0.3.
5.20am. Battalion attacked. Heavy mist and rain most difficult to maintain direction. All Companies met with stiff opposition. EPEHY was garrisoned by troops of BAVARIAN ALPINE CORPS who offered strenuous resistance.
10.00am. “A” Company had lost all officers – the remainder of the Company under Sergeant F. C. READ had succeeded in entering village North of FISHERS POST but were unable to maintain themselves in their positions. Owing to Companies of 7th NORFOLK REGIMENT and 9th ESSEX REGIMENT which preceded “C” and “D” Companies swinging off to the East instead of through the Southern end of EPEHY “C” and “D” Companies were unable to make much progress in clearing up the village. EPEHY was defended by Machine Gun posts and groups of Machine Gunners who owing to the cover afforded were able to change their position directly they were located. “D” Company however made considerable progress and captured over 60 prisoners.
10.30am. “D” Company supported by two platoons of “B” Company under Lieutenant BOND worked round several more Machine Gun posts but were unable to advance up to their objective. “C” Company had inclined too much to the right. One section was working with “D” Company, the remaining platoons were along the railway in F.1.c. Here they were held up by hostile Machine Guns but managed to cause considerable casualties to the enemy.
3.00pm. Two Companies of ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT sent up and with their aid the village was penetrated right through to FISHERS KEEP. Companies were then told off to garrison the various strong points and mop up cellars of which there were a large number in the village. Late in the evening CROPPER POST was again found to be occupied but the position was cleared up (“D” Company).

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 25th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Pte. George Burton, of Ibstock, was killed in action on September 18th. Writing to his mother, a chaplain states, “It is with deep felt sympathy that I write to confirm the sad news that your brave boy, Pte. Burton, 42973, 1/12th Cambs. Regiment, passed away during the recent fighting. May the Father of us all comfort and sustain you in your grievous loss and sorrow. He went into action with his company and I grieve to say was hit by a machine gun bullet and passed away instantly. His death was painless. Nothing could be done for him, or the doctor or any of us would so willingly have done it. We have buried him in a new British Cemetery near where he gallantly fell, and we are erecting a cross there to his memory. It is little we can do for you in these circumstances. How I wish I could do more to lessen your pain and loss. The C.O. cannot write to you himself, but asks me to express his sorrow at the loss to the regiment, and his deep sympathy with you. Yours in tender sympathy.

IBSTOCK

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Memorial services were held in the Wesleyan Reform Church, on Sunday, in connection with the deaths in action of John Storer, Royal Naval Division, and Pte. G. Burton, Leicestershire Regiment. Mr G. Forman was the preacher, and a wreath was sent to each family.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 25th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Pte. E. Orton, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, who died of wounds received in action on October 23rd, 1916.

“Sleep on dear one, in a far off land
In a grave we may never see
But as long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.”

From his loving Brother and Sister, Levi and Florrie
238, Valley Street, South Elmsall.

In loving memory of Pte. George Burton, who was killed in action, September 18th, 1918.

“He left his home in perfect health
He looked so young and brave
But we little knew how soon he would
Be laid in a hero’s grave”

“When alone in my sorrow and bitter tears flow
There stealeth a dream of a sweet long ago
But unknown to the world you stand by my side
And whisper, “Dear mother, death cannot divide.”

“We think of him in silence
His name we oft recall
But there’s nothing left to answer
But his photo on the wall.”

From his Father, Mother, Sister, Brothers John (in France), Alfred (in Egypt).

THANKS

Mr and Mrs Wm. Stacey and Family desire to tender their sincere thanks for the many kind tokens of sympathy received in the great bereavement they have sustained by the death of their beloved son, Simeon.

31, Park Road, Coalville.

Mrs Lardner and her children, wish to thank all friends for kindness and sympathy shown to them in the loss of a dear husband and loving father.

“There are some things Death cannot sever
Love and remembrance will live for ever”

“His cross was heavy, but patiently borne
None knew the heartache but those left to mourn.
But in God’s good time we shall meet again
Where there’ll be no more suffering, sorrow or pain.”

In ever loving memory of Private J. Farn, 27373, Loyal North Lancashires, killed in action on October 25th 1916.

“He left his home in perfect health
He looked so young and brave
But we little knew how soon he would
Be laid in a hero’s grave”

From his loving Father and Mother, Sister and Brothers.

In loving memory of Pte. E. Orton, 40763, 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment, who died of wounds received in action on October 23rd, 1916.

“Sleep on, dear brother, in thy lonely grave
Your life for your country you nobly gave
No loved ones around you to bid you good-bye
But in God’s own keeping you safely lie.”

From his loving Brothers and families, South Elmsall.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 26th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Private George Burton, who was killed in action, September 18th, 1918. Aged 20 years.

“I sit and think of you, dear son,
Till my heart is sore with pain.
All this world would be like heaven,
Could I bear your voice again.”

If only your smiling face I could see,
Oh, what joy there would be for me.
When nights are dark and friends are few,
‘Tis then, dear son, I think of you.”

From Mother, Father, Brother and Sister.
Ibstock

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 14/6/2018