Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Arthur Burton, a shepherd, born in the 2nd quarter of 1865 in Chorlton, Manchester, Lancashire and his wife, Esther Burton (nee Thomas, married on the 25th December 1889 in St. Paul’s Church, Fazeley, Staffordshire), born on the 7th December 1866 in Fazeley, Staffordshire and baptised on the 20th April 1867 in St. Paul’s Church, Fazeley. Harold was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Chadshunt, Warwickshire, his siblings were, Elsie May, born on the 23rd May 1890 and baptised on the 15th June 1890 in St. Paul’s Church, Fazeley, Rose, born on the 24th August 1891 and baptised on the 11th October 1891 in St. Paul’s Church, Fazeley and Fred, born in the 3rd quarter of 1892, the latter three siblings were all born in Fazeley, Ada, born in the 4th quarter of 1896, Clara, born in the 4th quarter of 1897, Violet Nelly, born in the 2nd quarter of 1899 and Daisy, born in the 3rd quarter of 1900, the latter five siblings were all born in Chadshunt, Warwickshire, in March 1901 the family home was at Farm House, Chadshunt, Southam, Warwickshire. In April 1911 Harold was absent from the family home in Shenton, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a farm cow man, his mother and siblings, Fred, a farm wagoner, Clara, a domestic servant, Violet, a schoolgirl, Daisy, a schoolgirl, Sidney, a schoolboy, born in the 2nd quarter of 1902 and Lily, born 1906, the latter two siblings were both born in Chadshunt and Horace Edward, born on the 16th April 1909 in Shenton and baptised on the 3rd September 1916 in the Parish Church, Shenton, Harold meanwhile was employed as a farm cowman and was residing as a servant in Shenton. Harold’s older brother Fred, died on the 3rd January, 1917, from wounds received in action.
Harold’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 20544, and was posted as a Private to that Regiment’s Depot for training, subsequently being posted to the 9th Battalion. During his service he had been transferred to the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, subsequently being transferred back to the 9th Battalion, it therefore cannot be confirmed which Battalion he joined when he embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 22nd December 1915. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was officially recorded as having being killed in action on Monday 25th September, 1916, while serving with the 9th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France. Harold was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 25 Sep-16 - The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lieutenant A. E. PETER, 2nd Lieutenant W. S. GILBERT, Company Sergeant Major POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lieutenant CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lieutenant RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lieutenant HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and Company Sergeant Major RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion Headquarters advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lieutenant HARDY, 2nd Lieutenant LEWIS, Company Sergeant Major RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion Headquarters advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion Headquarters viz: Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT), Lieutenant TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were found without any officer. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade Headquarters, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lieutenant KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.