Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Private

Army Number : 11969

Unit : 3rd and 2nd Bns

Biography :

Home address given as Burbage, Leicestershire. Enlisted at Hinckley, Leicestershire. Served with the 2nd Bn during World War One. Killed in action France and Flanders campaign 15.5.1915, aged 32. He is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas de France.

Private Francis Burton 11969 of the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire regiment was born in Burbage in 1883. The son of Benjamin and Eliza Burton, the family had moved from Leicester a year before his birth when his father found work as a stock man on a local farm, probably through his connections as a local Methodist preacher. By 1901 the family had moved to 82 Hinckley Rd and Francis worked as a gardener for the Burbage Nurseries. In 1901 at the age of 17 he volunteered for the South African War and saw service with the 3rd Leicester’s. On returning to Burbage he found employment as a stone quarryman at nearby Stoney Stanton. After the early death of both parents Francis became head of the house and lived with his two brothers Edgar and Bertie who worked in the hosiery trade. Edith the sister kept house at 82 Hinckley Road now demolished.
At the outbreak of WW1 in August 1914 he enlisted in Hinckley and as veteran soldier was soon posted to France. He saw action in the battle of Neuve Chapelle and described his experiences in an article for the Hinckley times. His last letter home was to The Rector JPA Fletcher which he wrote in April 1915 shortly before going into action.
The Leicester’s were involved in the failed attacks to take Auber’s Ridge in the Battle of Festubert on the Western Front. Late on the evening of May 15th the Leicester’s along with the 39th Garhwali Rifles had to retreat to no man’s lands and their own trenches. Eight officers and many men were killed in this attack and it is probable Burton was one of the casualties. It cannot be sure where he actually fell as there is no known grave Private Burton was reported missing to his family in May 1915 but it was twelve months before his family received confirmation of his death. His name can be found on the LE TOURET MEMORIAL, FRANCE, panel 11.

Some information provided by Burbage Heritage Group.

Date of Birth : 1883

Place of Birth : Leicester

Date of Death : 15.5.1915

Place of Death : France

Civil Occupation : Engineer

Period of Service : 1901-1903 and 1914-1915

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : South Africa and France