Alexander Burton
Encyclopedia
Alexander Stewart Burton VC
(20 January 1893 – 9 August 1915) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 August 1914, and embarked with the 7th Battalion (Victoria)
, on 19 October 1914. He was appointed Lance-Corporal on 10 July 1915 for "having volunteered and taken part in the forcing of Saphead D21 in the face of the enemy". He was awarded the VC for the following act:
Burton was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton
on 28 January 1916.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial
in Canberra, Australia.
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Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(20 January 1893 – 9 August 1915) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 August 1914, and embarked with the 7th Battalion (Victoria)
Australian 7th Battalion
The 7th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised in 1914 as part of the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War, the battalion was completely recruited from Victoria and formed the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. The battalion served during the Gallipoli campaign...
, on 19 October 1914. He was appointed Lance-Corporal on 10 July 1915 for "having volunteered and taken part in the forcing of Saphead D21 in the face of the enemy". He was awarded the VC for the following act:
Burton was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton
Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton
General Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton GCB GCMG DSO TD was a general in the British Army and is most notably for commanding the ill-fated Mediterranean Expeditionary Force during the Battle of Gallipoli....
on 28 January 1916.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
in Canberra, Australia.
Honours and awards
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
|
Victoria Cross Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... (VC) |
9 August 1915 |
| 1914-15 Star 1914-15 Star The 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The 1914-15 Star was approved in 1918, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 .Recipients of this medal also... |
||
| British War Medal British War Medal The British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The medal was approved in 1919, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918... |
||
|
Victory Medal | |
| Mentioned in Despatches | 28 January 1916 | |