Lance Corporal 19779 Soloman Burton, MM

Died of Wounds on Tuesday, 24th July 1917, age 20.
Buried in Grave I. I. 17. at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Westvleteren, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

9th Bn., Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.). 33rd Brigade of 11th Division.
Formerly 12214 Leicestershire Regiment and 19779 1st Bn., Sherwood Foresters.

Son of Mrs Burton, of 3, Bridge St., Derby Rd., Chesterfield.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Chesterfield, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, 16th March 1915.
Medal entitlement: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/620094/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Soloman Burton registered March quarter 1897 in Walsall. Mother's maiden name was Simpson.

1901 Census
9 Back Lane, Brockwell Terrace, Newbold, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Solomon Burton (31, Coal Miner, born Tipton), his wife Hannah M. (30, born Bedworth), and their 6 children: Emily (9, born Walsall), John T. (8, born Walsall), Elizabeth R. (7, born Walsall), Solomon (4, born Walsall), Louisa (2, born Newbold, Derbyshire), and Sidney (4 months, born Newbold, Derbyshire).

1911 Census
321 Derby Road, Birdholme, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Annie Maria Burton (40, Widow, born Bedworth), and 6 of her 8 children: John Thomas (18, Collier, born Aldridge), Solomon (14,Collier, born Aldridge), Louisa (12, School, born Chesterfield), Sidney (10, School, born Chesterfield), Israel (8, School, born Chesterfield), and Lily (3, born Chesterfield).

Personal Data

Although S. Burton is commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial, it is an error by the sign-writer. The 'Staffordshire Roll of Honour' records E. Burton, South Staffs - just by coincidence there is a casualty S. Burton who has a Tipton connection.

'Soldiers Died in the Great War' reports that Soloman was born in Tipton, this is almost certainly not the case. His father, also Soloman, was born in Tipton but Soloman's birth in 1897 was registered in Walsall, and the 1901 and 1911 census returns show Soloman living in Chesterfield and born Walsall/Aldridge.

Not really a Tipton man at all!

On 12th February 1916, Soloman was admitted to No.18 General Hospital at Camiers suffering from "Inflamation of Middle Ear". He was there for 14 days before being transferred to No.6 Convalescent Depot at nearby Etaples. He was shown as being 4th Battalion, attached 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. This probably means that he was a pre-War Special Reservist who was immediatly called-up in August 1914.

After Soloman's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/4/2d (3 pounds, 4 shillings and 2 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Annie M., in October 1917. His War Gratuity was £13/10/0d (13 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his mother in October 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Soloman had enlisted in approximately August 1914.

Soloman's mother, Mrs Ann Maria Burton, was awarded a Dependant's Pension of 7/6d (7 shillings and 6 pence) per week from 29th January 1918 to 4th February 1918. From 5th February 1918, this increased to 12/6d (12 shillings and 6 pence) per week "for life". Her address was 3 Bridge Street, Chesterfield.

Action resulting in his death

After taking part in the Battle of Messines in June 1917, the 11th (Northern) Division had time out of the line before moving to the Ypres Salient in mid- July. The 11th Division, which included the 9th Sherwood Foresters, relieved the 51st (Highland) Division in the sector about a mile north of Ypres town, in the general area of today's La Belle Alliance CWGC Cemetery.

This was at the time of the build-up to the start of 3rd Ypres. The Germans were well aware of this, and were bombarding the British lines with High Explosive and Gas shells. The 9th Sherwoods has 21 men killed between the 20th and 24th July, most would have been as a result of the bombardment. Soloman may well have been wounded during this bombardment, he was treated at No.4 Casualty Clearing Station based at Dozinghem. He died of wounds on 24th July, and was is buried in the adjacent Dozinghem Military Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.