Name

Thomas Burton.

Description

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate relating to Thomas Burton.

Life Story

Name: Thomas Burton.

Service Number: 3485.

Rank: Private.

Battalion: 1st Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Born: 30th August 1878, County Tyrone.

Died: 2nd July 1915.

Address: 97 Wilton Street, Shankill, Belfast.

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Thomas Burton, son of David and Mary Jane Burton, lived with his wife and child at 97 Wilton Street, Shankill, Belfast.

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Thomas had two sisters, Alice Burton born 7th January 1869, Mary M Burton born 24th October 1874 and three brothers, Robert Charles Burton born 14th March 1870, David Burton born 21st October 1871, John Burton born 6th December 1876.

After the death of his father on the 3rd March 1881, the family farm was sold and the family moved to Belfast.

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 264 Cupar Street, Belfast with his mother, two daughters, Alice, 26 years, occupation, Linen Weaver, Mary M, 23 years, Linen Weaver, and two brothers, Robert C, 25 years, Tenter, John, 22 years, Yarn Bundler. There are a John McGrath, 23 years, Labourer, John McGrath, 10 years registered as Boarders, and a Richard McGrath, 21 years, Soldier In Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, listed as a visitor. Thomas occupation at this time is given as Labourer.

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Thomas living at 62 Kashmir Road, Belfast with his mother, sister Alice, 39 years, Linen Weaver, and two brothers, Robert Charles, 37 years, Power Loom Tenter, and John 31 years, Flax Yarn Bundler. Thomas occupation at this time is given as Flax Yarn Bundler also

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Thomas married Mary Burton, Nee Lester on the 5th March 1911 with Saint Anne's Church of Irish Church Belfast.

They had a son, David, born on the 29th March 1912

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Thomas joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

He was posted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the 17th March 1915.

Thomas was a Private in 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was Killed In Action on the 2nd July 1915, aged 36 years

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A local newspaper states.

Private Thomas J Burton 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling, whose death in action at the Dardanelles has been already reported leaves a widow and child, who live at 97 Wilton Street, Belfast. Deceased's mother resides at 62 Kashmir Street, Belfast

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Another states.

Mrs Burton, 62 Kashmir Road, Belfast, has been notified that her son, Private Thomas J Burton, was killed in action at the Dardanelles on 2nd inst. Deceased/d father was the late Mr David Burton, Curran, Benburb, County Tyrone

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A memorial reads

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BURTON - Killed in action at the Dardanelles 2nd July, Private Thomas James Burton, youngest son of Mary Jane Burton and the late David Burton of Curran, Benburb.

O God of love O God of peace.

Make wars throughout the world to cease.

The wrath of sinful man restrain.

Give peace, O God, gives peace again.

Whom shall we trust but Thee, O Lord.

Where rest but on Thy faithful word

None ever call on Thee in vain,

Give peace, O God, gives peace again.

When saints and angels dwell above,

All hearts are knit in holy love

Oh bind us in that heavenly chain,

Give peace, O God, gives peace again.

Deeply regretted by his loving mother, sisters and brothers. Mary Jane Burton 62 Kashmir Road Belfast.

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Thomas Soldier Effects were left to his widow and child.

A Pension Application Form shows his widow as claimant.

Dependant Pension Application Forms show his widow as claimant and as living at 178 Cavendish Road, Belfast at the time of applying.

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Thomas received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star.

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He is Remembered at Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.

To Remember Is To Honour

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