Claro Times - 10th September 1915

Corporal Oswald Burton, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, whose home was at 10 Chatsworth Place, Harrogate, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles. This sad intelligence was conveyed in a message received by his parents on Saturday.

Corporal Burton was 24 years of age, and previous to enlisting was employed at Messrs H Dawson's, Princes Street, Harrogate. He enlisted along with Leonard Dawson and R Calvert, on August 11th.

The former subsequently received a commission, but was reported missing at the Dardanelles some two months ago. Calvert has been wounded by a shell in France, his brother being killed by the same explosion. Corporal Burton's death will be very deeply regretted by his many friends. He was hon. Secretary of the West Park Football Club, prior to the war.

A letter received by Mrs Burton gives the following particulars of her son's death :

"I wish to inform you how your dear son Corporal Burton passed his last moments, being wounded in a retirement when the fighting was at its hottest. An officer and some men, including my son, were trying to keep the enemy at bay in a small farm house they had taken cover in, when they heard some poor lad calling for help and his mother some 20 yards out or more. The officer asked for a volunteer to fetch him in. my son knocked the loop hole down, sprang out, ran and fetched him in to safety. He must have had a charmed life, as the shots were flying around him. He was hit in the boot and uniform two or three times, but not hurt. Your poor lad died in his arms four hours after being brought in to safety".

The rescuer of Corporal Burton fetched a doctor and stretcher-bearer, chancing being hit by snipers, and did everything he could for the wounded man, whose last word was his mother's name.

SDGW

Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

9th Battalion

Corporal Oswald Burton (10288)

Born : Heckmondwicke

Enlisted : Harrogate

Residence : Harrogate

Died : 7th August 1915

Killed in Action

Gallipoli

CWGC

In Memory of

OSWALD BURTON

Corporal 10288 9th Bn., West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own) who died on Saturday, 7th August 1915.

Commemorative Information

Memorial:

HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey

Grave Reference/Panel Number:

Panel 47 to 51