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Arthur Burton - Information

Arthur was the sixth of twelve children of James William and Emily Miriam Burton. James eventually moved his family to Campbelltown, where he passed away in 1896. Emily was left a widow with twelve children, five of whom were under the age of 10. Two years later, Emily remarried William McKenzie, residing together in Ingleburn. When he was older, Arthur moved to Sydney, where he married Flora Harpley in 1911. They settled in Sydney, as Arthur worked as a motor driver.

When war broke out, Arthur watched two of his younger brothers, Harold and Herbert Leslie sign up in 1915. At the age of 23, Arthur followed them and enlisted at Moore Park on the 25th of September 1916. Upon joining up, Arthur was posted to the Auxiliary Transport Companies, and was shipped out from Melbourne on the 22nd of December 1916.

Arthur arrived at Devonport, England in March 1917, and was marched into the Army Services Company at Parkhouse. In June, he proceeded to France as part of the 5th Divisional Supply Column. On the 12th of March 1918, he was transferred to the Australian Division Motor Transport Company. He continued to serve as a driver, delivering munitions and other war material, until he came down with influenza in November. He was transported to hospital in England, and was then invalided home to Australia in December 1918 with debility.