Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Alexander Burton enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 August 1914 and posted to the 7th Battalion.
11 Facts About Alexander Burton
1.
2.
Alexander Burton embarked with the battalion for the Middle East on 19 October 1914.
3.
On 25 April 1915,7th Battalion landed at Gallipoli but Alexander Burton was sick and did not reach the frontlines until a week later.
4.
Alexander Burton was promoted to the rank of lance corporal on 10 July 1915 for "having volunteered and taken part in the forcing of Saphead D21 in the face of the enemy".
5.
On 9 August 1915, Alexander Burton fought in the Battle of Lone Pine when his company reinforced newly captured Turkish trenches.
6.
Alexander Burton was one of a party of men that manned a barricade against attacking Turkish soldiers.
7.
Alexander Burton's VC was gazetted on 15 October 1915; the citation read as follows:.
Related searches
George V 8.
Alexander Burton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.
9.
Alexander Burton was mentioned in despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton on 28 January 1916.
10.
In early 1916, the VC, along with a cover letter from King George V, was presented to Alexander Burton's father who later wore it for the homecoming of Frederick Tubb, who was a friend of Alexander Burton's, and had returned to Australia to convalesce from the wounds received at Lone Pine.
11.
Alexander Burton's VC remained in his family for many years but in 1967, it was donated to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where it is on display.