Roll of Honour
2nd Lieutenant
John (Jack) Lees Burton
French Croix De Guerre
Student
John Lees Burton, known as Jack, was born on the 4th November 1894 at Millburn, Tarbolton, Ayrshire. His father Thomas Burton (1862-1944) was a Blacksmith. His mother was Margaret (Maggie) Burton (nee Lees) (1872-1921), and they had married on the 24th July 1891 in Tarbolton. John was one of six children and they lived at The Smithy in Dailly, Ayrshire.
Jack came to the University of Glasgow in 1913 to study Latin and Mathematics and stayed in digs in Kent Road. He returned the following year studying Latin, French and Logic staying in Derby Street. Despite passing all his subjects, he did not return for the 1915-16 session.
He was with the 1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) attached to the 9th Bn. Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Highlanders) when he was killed at the Battle of Arras on the 27th April 1917, aged 22. 2nd Lieutenant Jack Lees Burton has no known grave and is remembered on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, Pas de Calais, France.
Comments and Citations
University of Glasgow Registry records.
Memorial Place: Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Find War Dead