Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Benjamin Burton an insurance agent and preacher, born 1846 in Barkby, Leics., and his wife Eliza Ann Burton (nee Dilks, married in the 1st quarter of 1870 in the Leicester district), born 1848 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics. Benjamin Francis was born in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in Leicester, his siblings were, Annie Elizabeth, born 1873 and Florence Mary, born 1875, the latter two siblings were both born in Barrow upon Soar, Leics., John Robert, born 1877 and Ephraim, born 1878, the latter two siblings were both born in Kibworth, Leics., Alfred Dilks, born 1881 in Kettering, Northants., Bertie, born 1882 in Leicester, Eliza Ann, born 1885, Edgar Harry, born 1888 and Joseph, born 1890, the latter three siblings were all born in Burbage, Leics., also residing with the family was his cousin Albert Dilks, born 1881 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Lutterworth Road, Burbage, Leics. In March 1901 Benjamin was employed as a gardener and was residing in the family home at 82, Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leics., together with his father, now a farm stockman and preacher, his mother and siblings, Alfred, Bertie, Eliza, Edgar, Joseph and Edith May, born 1893 in Burbage, Leics., also living with the family was his cousin, Albert Dilks, and niece Nora May Burton, born 1898 in Burbage, Leics. In April 1911 Benjamin was employed as a stone quarry man and was residing in the family home at 82, Hinckley Road, Leics., together with his siblings, Edgar, Bertie and Edith. Benjamin enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) on the 21st January 1907 in Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Leicester and his age as 17 years and 10 months, he gave his trade or calling as labourer and his employer as Mr. Hawley of The Sketchley Dye Works, Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his place of residence as 82, Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire, and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Benjamin Burton and his mother Eliza Burton of 82, Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire and his brothers, John Burton, Alfred Burton, Bertie Burton, Edgar Burton, Joseph Burton and his sisters, Annie Burton, Florence Burton, Eliza Burton and Edith Burton as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¾ inches in height, he weighed 116 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and his eyes were light hazel. It was noted that he had a scar on the back of his right elbow. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit to serve in the Militia. His record of service began when he joined the the Depot of the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 7658 and commenced 49 days training on the 23/1/01. Embodied and stationed at Dover on the 24/2/02. Granted Messing Allowance on the 26/3/02. Embarked for South Africa on the 26/3/02. Returned to England and Disembodied on the 3/10/02. Discharged by purchase on the 20/4/03. Benjamin enlisted into the Special Reserve for an engagement of 1 year on the 24th August 1914. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and his age as 30 years and 5 months, and his trade or calling as engineer. He confirmed that he had previously served with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) and had purchased his discharge. His record of service began when he joined the the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 11969 for recruits training on the 24/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 3/9/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 26/1/15. Death assumed, killed in action, place not stated on the 15/5/15. The following information was provided on the 21st May 1919 by Benjamin’s eldest brother John Robert Burton and was witnessed by Richard D. Pughe, a Clerk in Holy Orders of Burbage Rectory, Hinckley, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, none. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, John Robert Burton, age 42 of 3, Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire, Alfred Burton, age 37 of High Street, Barwell, Leicestershire, Bertie Burton, age 35 of Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire. Edgar Burton, age 30 of Church Street, Burbage, Leicestershire, Joseph Burton, age 27 of Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire. Full blood sisters of soldier, Annie Burton, age 47 of Highfields, Hinckley, Leicestershire, Florence Greenway, age 44 of Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire, Eliza Iliffe, age 32 of Sherwood House, Burbage, Leicestershire, Edith Burton, age 25 of Hinckley Road, Burbage, Leicestershire. Benjamin was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals.
The War Diary for today records. Battn rested during the day in LANSDOWNE POST. Moved off at 8.00pm. Battn took over front line from which the assault was to be made and by 9.30pm Coy’s were in position. Telephonic communication established with left and right and communication by officers ascertained between men on left and 2nd Div on my right. Eleven bridges were placed over the stream which runs parallel to position and about 20 to 30 yards in front of it, there with the existing four bridges made a total of 15 on the Battn front. It was not possible to place more bridges in position as the stream had been widened at many points by big shell holes, and the trunks and branches of fallen trees also blocked any other places where bridges might have been put. This getting of the bridges into position was an operation of great difficulty on account of the constant flares and bursts of fire from the enemy’s parapet. It was skilfully and quietly done with only two or three casualties. At 10.45pm two platoons were crossed over to the far side of the stream. Four more platoons were formed up ready, in the trenches to go forward and support the leading platoons. The remaining two Coy’s were formed up lying down behind the parados in close column of platoons ready to advance. Thus the whole Battn was got into its final position in order of attack and as close up as possible. This final formation was complete by 11.20pm and thanks to the able leading of Coy Commanders the movement was carried out in perfect order, and with no noise. At 11.30pm the leading platoons went forward to the assault closely supported by the second line. The lines in rear went forward to take up the positions vacated by the leading line. At the same time, or if anything some seconds before 11.30pm the enemy opened a very heavy fire with rifles and machine guns. A few minutes afterwards trench mortars and shrapnel searched the stream and the ground on both sides of it. The enemy threw from their parapet some kind of fire grenade which burst into fire on impact with the ground, and these with continuous flames of all colours, literally turned night into day. The leading men pushed on but only a few were able to reach near the enemy’s parapet. Each succeeding line came under a very heavy fire, the bridges got so blocked and the obstacles caused by fallen trees and shell holes so impeded movement that effective support could not be given. Thus the impetus of the assault was broken before it really got a proper start. The enemy’s parapet was fully manned and the accuracy and intensity may be understood from the fact that 8 officers, Platoon Commanders were killed or wounded. About 12 midnight reports were received from the front that our attack could not reach the German line, orders were then given to withdraw to our own trenches.
On Friday July 30th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – The following casualties in the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 9th July.
KILLED. Withers, 11848, Private F.
WOUNDED. Bailey, 12000, Lance Corporal G. Barrett, 16424, Private C. Bartlett, 15860, Private E. Colbourne, 11399, Lance Corporal A.J. Corby, 9536, Private A. Escott, 11402, Private R. Fawcett, 16749, Private J.J. Fielding, 8898, Lance Corporal E.E. Gilbert, 8336, Private F. Goodmon, 16325, Private A.H. Goodger, 9338, Lance Corporal H. Johnson, 5035, Company Q.M.S. G. Moore, 6140, Lance Corporal H. Newton, 12004, Lance Corporal W. O’Brian, 9818, Private W. Wall, 7886, Private J.
MISSING. Ashcroft, 8307, Lance Corporal F. Burton, 11969, Private F. B. Copley, 9333, Private H. Grant, 10554, Corporal F.W. MacDonnell, 7901, Private G. Sharp, 10175, Private T.W. Simpson, 8916, Lance Sergeant C.W. Smith, 11490, Private I. Stowe, 10180, Private W. Whittington, 15875, Private A.E.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph of Benjamin Burton is courtesy of L. Durham, 2018