Subject

Valiant Knight

Text

n/a

Inscription

In loving memory of Corporal A.S. Burton, V.C. and Comrades who gave their lives in the Great War, Gallipoli, 1915.

Description & History

A memorial window to Corporal Alexander Stewart Burton VC, was made by the Melbourne firm, Brooks, Robinson & Co. and unveiled by the Rev. John Garde in March 1924, in the presence of a large congregation. The Melbourne Argus reported that Corporal Burton, in the company of Lieutenant Tubb [later to be Major], also from the Euroa district, and Corporal Dunstan [later Lieutenant], were defending a sap and renewing barricades at Lone Pine in the face of successive attacks by the Turks. Burton was killed after a sustained defence of the position. All three men were awarded the Victoria Cross, of which the Euroa district is justly proud; as well as Corporal Burton and Major Tubb who was killed in action on 20 September 1917, Lieutenant Maygar [later Lieutenant Colonel] was awarded the VC for bravery in the South African War, before serving with distinction in the First World War.

Alexander Stewart Burton was born at Kyneton in 1893, son of Alfred and Isabella Burton of Euroa. Burton was an ironmonger before his enlistment and subsequent posting to 7 Battalion. He missed the landing at Gallipoli because of a sore throat, watching it from the deck of a hospital ship, however it was not long before he joined the battle. He was reported wounded but rejoined his unit on 18 May. Lance Corporal Burton with Lieutenant Tubb and Corporal Dunstan and a few other men were holding a newly-captured trench when the enemy counter-attacked with force but the group rebuilt a sandbag barricade that was destroyed in the attack. This was repeated but the men repulsed the attacks and rebuilt the barricade each time. Burton was killed by a bomb as he was again re-building the parapet under fire. He received the highest honour for his conspicuous bravery under fire and was recommended along with Tubb and Dunstan for actions on 8-9 August 1915. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli.

References & Acknowledgements

AWM Roll of Honour; AWM Photographic image of Burton H06785; NAA: B2455, Burton AS; Argus, 29 March 1924, p.38; 27 September 1934, p.10; Sydney Morning Herald, 20 October 1915, p.7; West Australian, 29 March 1916, p.7.