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Corporal Alexander Stewart Burton VC |
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Alexander
Stewart Burton was born at Kyneton, Victoria, in 1893, and was working
as an ironmonger in Euroa at the outbreak of the First World War. He
immediately enlisted in the AIF, joining 7 Battalion, but owing to
illness, missed the landing at Gallipoli.
After recovering, he rejoined his unit, and was promoted to corporal in July after being slightly wounded. Killed in the action for which he was awarded the VC, Burton has no known grave. The recommendation for the award of the Victoria Cross to Corporals Dunstan and Burton reads as follows: 'I have the honor to recommend that the names of No. 2130, Corporal W. Dunston, [sic] and No. 384, Corporal A.S. Burton (killed) both of 7th Battalion, A.I. Force, be submitted to the G.O.C.-in-Command for consideration for the Victoria Cross in recognition of conspicuous gallantry in action. |
| On the morning of August 9th at Lone Pine, the enemy made an attack on the centre of the line in great force at a point held by Lieut. F.A. Tubb with a party of men and acting Corporals Burton and Dunston. The enemy advanced up the sap in the dark and placed a charge of guncotton or other explosive against the parapet of sandbags, which hurled the parapet and the party guarding it back with great violence. About 1 foot of the parapet still remained. This Officer and NCO's rushed to the remains of the parapet to defend it against the enemy, whom they repulsed with loss and built up the parapet again. The enemy advanced, and under a hail of bombs placed another charge, which again demolished the parapet, and inflicted a painful wound on Lieut. Tubb's head, which dazed him for the moment. The two NCO's however, again pushed back and restored the parapet, Corporal Burton being killed by a bomb, which struck him in the face, and the parapet was again destroyed. Corporal Dunston and Lieut. Tubb again restored it with the assistance of another man. Corporal Dunston was severely wounded and Lieut. Tubb received a painful wound in the arm.' | |
