Stephen Henry David (Harry) BURTON

BURTON, Stephen Henry David

Service Number: 73
Enlisted: 19 August 1914, Enoggera, Queensland
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 9th Infantry Battalion
Born: Landsborough, Queensland, Australia, 27 May 1894
Home Town: Albion, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Windsor State School
Occupation: Labourer
Died: Killed in Action, Gallipoli, 20 May 1915, aged 20 years
Cemetery: Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula
Plot 1, Row C
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Windsor State School Honour Board, Windsor War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

19 Aug 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 73, Enoggera, Queensland
24 Sep 1914: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 73, 9th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Omrah embarkation_ship_number: A5 public_note: ''
24 Sep 1914: Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 73, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Omrah, Brisbane
25 Apr 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 73, 9th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
20 May 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 73, 9th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli

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Biography contributed by Glenn Irvine

Pte Stephen Henry David BURTON, was born in Landsborough on 27th May 1894. His parents were David Mathias Burton & Mary (Dunn) Burton. He attended Windsor State School, Brisbane, QLD. A "labourer" by trade Henry Burton (as he signed himself) was serving in the 7th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces, when he decided to join the A.I.F.

Henry BURTON enlisted in the AIF at Enoggera, Brisbane, on 19 July 1914, at the age of 20 and named his father Mr David Burton of Turner Street, Albion, Brisbane, as his Next of Kin. He was posted to the 9th Battalion A Company and embarked with his unit from Brisbane on board HMAT A5, "Omrah" on 24 September 1914. On 2 March 1915, after time spent in Egypt, Pte Henry Burton, embarked on board troop ship "Ioniap" from Alexandria to Join the M.E. F. in the Gallipoli Campaign. He joined his unit on 2 May 1915 and was killed in action a short time later at Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli on 20 May 1915. He was buried in Shell Green Cemetery near Anzac Cove.

Detail from his mother - from the Roll of Honour: "A steady sober lad at the age of 19 years he joined the 9th Battalion and left the shores of Queensland in the "Omrah" on September 24th 1914. He belonged to a military family, hence he needed no second "call" to take him to his colours".

From one of his fellow soldiers, Pte J McVeigh (No.1461 A Coy 9th Batt):
Burton, McVeigh and a man called Harry Davis, were together in the trenches on May 20th at Gaba Tepe. The Turks were attacking in Great Force. Burton was working hard assisting to repel the attack and in so doing exposed his head. A fifteen-pounder shell came along and carried away part of his head. Burton was greatly liked by his mates. They were very down-hearted at his death, just prior to which he had been laughing, and joking and cheering up those who were with him.

From his section 2IC L/CPL Henry Davis (No.83 A Coy 9th Batt):
I can tell you everything of him as he was a great mate of mine. It was in the afternoon at about 3pm on the 19th of May 1915. He was killed by a shell, his death being instantaneous. The Turks were shelling us very badly at the time poor Burton was killed. He had just got into his position to do his watch. He had only been on for about 5 minutes when he got it. I just being two posies away and seeing everything. Pte Burton did not land with us, but he joined the Battalion about seven days after the 25.04.15. He was killed on the extreme right flank, that being the 9th position then.

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