Charles Alfred Burton

Census Address: 18 Wharf Road
Place of Birth: Elton, Huntingdonshire
Date of Birth: 1898
Enlistment Address: --
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Service Numbers: 196986
Place of Death: --
Date Died: --
18 Wharf Road, Stamford

Charles was born in 1898 in Elton,  Oundle, Huntindonshire and in 1901 he was living with his parents and siblings In Duck Street, Elton. His parents were Thomas and Priscilla (nee Smith) Burton. Father, who was a carpenter, was born in Cottesmore, Rutland and his mother was born in Newark, Peterborough. His sister, Fanny Eliza 10 and brother, Harold Ambrose aged 9 months were also born in Elton.

By 1911 the family had moved to 18 Wharf Road, Stamford and his father was now an estate carpenter, Fanny was a shop assistant in a stationers with Charles and Harold still at school.

Before Charles enlisted he was employed by Cuttings as an apprentice on the brass finishing bench.

He enlisted in Stamford for General Service on 20th May 1916 into the Reserve Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. His medical recorded that he was underweight (100lbs). and of ‘poor physique’ and his teeth needed attention. He joined the Army Reserve on the 21st May 1916. Before his mobilisation his former employer, Cutting Bros Ltd, wrote a letter supporting him, stating he was ‘quite a good hand’. He was mobilised on 10th November 1916. He was posted with the Royal Field Artillery T. F. on 14th December 1916 and on 12th January 1917. Gunner Burton (196986) joined the 398 Battery, then the 2nd Reserve Battalion Royal Field Artillery on 25th November 1917 .

He gained the British and Victory medals.

After the war in 1924 Charles married Kate Goodfellow in Stamford.

He died in 1965 in Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire. At the time of his death he and Kate were living at 22 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford. Kate died in 1971.