Orders, Decorations and Medals

An Immediate M.M. awarded to Corporal G. W. Burton, East Yorkshire Regiment, later killed in action
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4342241 Cpl., E.York.R.) very fine

M.M. London Gazette 24 September 1942 (Middle East). The following recommendation was extracted from official records: ‘During the attack on the Italian lines on the evening of the 14th June 1942, Cpl Burton was acting as a platoon sergeant. Throughout the attack he conducted himself with outstanding courage and daring. As the platoon moved up they were subjected to intense artillery and Brada and LMG fire and the men showed a tendency to lie down in face of the barrage. Cpl Burton, however, moved among his men, urging them to their feet and spurring them on. He kept the pl organised and on the move behind the Platoon commdr regardless of the way in which he was exposed to fire in the light of burning trucks. Through his fine example and energy the pl moved onto the objective. In the hand to hand fighting which followed he played a prominent part, firing his tommy gun from the hip. The successful outcome of the attack was due, in no small way, to the gallantry and outstanding example of this NCO.’

Corporal George William Burton, 5th Bn. East Yorksire Regiment, was killed in action on 28 June 1942. He is buried in the El Alemain War Cemetery.