BURTON, Ernest Alan

Ernest Burton was the son of George Burton of Oak Villa, Stratford Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, and lived in Wordsley. He was married to Lettie (later Holden) who moved to 21 Rufford Road, Stourbridge. He enlisted in the Cavalry but was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the West Kents in the 5th Division. They returned from Italy in March 1918 to face the second German Spring offensive on the Lys. They entered the front line immediately and after a fighting withdrawal helped to save the precarious situation. They took part in the 1918 Advance to Victory starting on its first day, the 21st August, and by late September with little rest had reached the outposts of the Hindenburg Line. On the 18th near Gouzeaucourt Wood the West Kents led the Division in an attack at 5.20 a.m. in pouring rain and eventually the Wood was taken. Casualties were high and included Lance Corporal Ernest Burton who was 30 years of age and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois and Wordsley Memorials.