Born: 15 August 1870.
Place of Birth: Cromwell Street, Duddeston, Birmingham.
Died: Birmingham, as a result of war service in France, on 31 July 1919 and was buried with full military honours on 7 August 1919 at Witton Cemetery, he had served in the Royal Army Service Corps, Army number ss2907. Cemetery records show he died at the Pensioners Hospital, Lodge Road, Birmingham. This hospital is believed to be what became All Saints Hospital, which closed in the year 2000. Also interred in grave are two members of his family, sister Alice Glass formerly Bowcutt (buried 8 April 1930) and grand daughter Rose A. Baynham aged 3 (buried 6 July 1928). The cemetery records show there were two other burials in the plot, on 31 December 1904 (no name recorded) and 25 February 1908 which is believed to be George Bowcutt, husband of Alice. George is the registered owner of the plot.
Parents: John William and Hannah Burton, nee Beesley. Click here to view a copy of his Birth Certificate (see notes below).
Marriages: Rose Cole at St. Chad's Cathedral, Birmingham, 20th November 1915.
Children: Alice Rose Hannah 1897, Alice 11 May 1900, Lily and her twin who was still born 5 March 1903, Hannah Elizabeth 24 July 1905, Frederick and his twin Joseph James 2 July 1908, John Dennis and his twin who was still born 10 January 1915 and Agnes Mary and her twin Florence May on 12 May 1912.
Occupation: 1891 Census listed as Brass Polisher. 1901 Census boarding in Walter Street, Aston, with Rose Cole and their daughter Alice. Served in WW1 in the Army Service Corps. Enlisted 17 August 1914, went to France 25 August 1914, return from France May 1916 and was discharged unfit, 24 June 1916. It is believed he had served in the Army sometime prior to 1914, hence his swift movement to France after 1914 enlistment.
Notes: This note added February 2014. There are serveral versions of this Burton family, family tree on the internet, which show Hannah Nason as John Williams mother. John Williams original birth certificate is held by one of his grand daughters and it clearly states his mother to be Hannah Beesley.