Burton at war
The Burton Sportsmen on Burton Railway Station - 1914
Gommecourt Wood - the northern area of the Somme battlefield - the Burton men were slaughtered here on the first day of the battle
A photograph taken somewhere in Burton, army, navy and Royal Marines
Arthur Coulton - one of the many young men who left the comfort of their homes for the futility and carnage that was Trench war
The Menin Gate Memorial to the missing, Ypres, Belgium. Burton is, sadly, well-represented here
Burton War Memorial

The definitive account of a town at war

From the fervent patriotism displayed at the outbreak of hostilities, through to the despair, horror and sadness as Burton families suffered the loss of sons, brothers and husbands as the casualty lists grew.

Many local men were soon recalled to the army and Royal Navy, with a number being involved in the epic retreat from Mons in 1914, part of 'the contemptible little army' that held the German army at bay.

The sportsmen from the Rugby and Rowing clubs joined as one in September 1914 - and were the first local Kitchener lads to 'go over the top' in 1915 where they were reported to have been 'bowled over like rabbits'.

The ranks of the local Territorial Battalion, the 1/6 North Staffordshire Regiment, were swelled to bursting in the initial enthusiastic rush to join the colours - only to be greatly reduced when launched against the German wire at Loos in 1915 and then decimated amongst the senseless slaughter of the first day of the Somme Battle in July 1916.

The town itself came under attack from German Zeppelin raiders in 1916, with much death and destruction left in their wake. This is probably the most extensive recounting of that terrifying night.

The town stood firm though, through 4 years of a savage war which saw almost every man of military age (and many local women) eventually serving in the armed forces. Burton became a military depot servicing the British war machine. Female labour was used in abundance throughout the town, and the licensing laws were changed - Burton was never the same again.

The book draws on first-hand accounts from the men fighting in the army, navy and the fledgling air force. As well as using details passed down through generations of Burton families about the war the men fought and life in the town during the period, accompanied by many photographs that are seeing the light of day for the first time in many years. Running to over 300 pages in total, no area of this first 'world war' is omitted.

The names of Burton people appear on memorials in all parts of the world, but are to be found in their greatest number on those dedicated to those lost amongst the mud and blood of France and Flanders. You didn't have to go very far before you heard a Burton accent in this war.

There is great sadness, bravery (mostly going unrecognised by the hierarchy), no small amount of fear and the mainstay of Burtonians when they are a tight spot - their humour.

The Burton Boys, and the town, paid a very heavy price during those dark days - I hope this is a fitting tribute.

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