The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of Second Lieutenant Francis James Burton, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by , the story for this day was on Second Lieutenant Francis James Burton, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, First World War.

Second Lieutenant Francis James Burton, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment
KIA 31 October 1917


Today we remember and pay tribute to Second Lieutenant Francis James Burton.

Francis Burton was born on the 22nd of December 1893 in Nullan, near Minyip in Victoria. Known as “Frank”, he was one of nine children born to farmer Frederick Burton and his wife Mary. Frank received his education at the local state school, and later joined the local Light Horse and Citizens Militia Forces as a volunteer. During this time he worked alongside his father on their family farm.

When war was declared in 1914, Frank Burton was among the first in his district to enlist, joining the Australian Imperial Force on the 22nd of August 1914. He was assigned to C Squadron of the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment and began a short period of training in Australia. He embarked for active service from Melbourne on the 19th of October 1914, sailing on board the troopship Wiltshire.

Burton arrived in Egypt in early December and continued training with his new comrades. His regiment did not arrive on the Gallipoli peninsula until late May of 1915, when Light Horse units were deployed without their horses. Burton’s unit was briefly dispersed to reinforce infantry units along the line before being reunited in early June. Much of their time was spent defending the Anzac’s precarious position, particularly around Ryrie’s Post where they were involved in several minor attacks and raids. After his promotion to corporal in July, Burton wrote home to his family, saying, “We are in the firing line and my two mates are jolly fine fellows. We occupy number 5 post which is a very good one to sleep in as well as to get a good view of the Turk’s trenches which are only forty or fifty yards away”.

Like many who succumbed to the difficult conditions of life on the front, Burton became ill in October and was evacuated to Egypt for treatment. He re-joined his unit in February 1916, after the allies abandoned the Gallipoli campaign. Afterwards, his unit was engaged in rear security tasks in the Suez Canal Zone throughout most of 1916, during which time Burton was promoted to sergeant.

In 1917, the 4th Light Horse moved up to the Sinai desert as British and Dominion forces advanced. Burton was made squadron sergeant major in March, and after a short stay in hospital, was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in September.

A month later, his unit was drawn into their first major action of the war during the third battle of Gaza. Attempting to outflank the enemy stronghold in the city of Gaza, allied units made a plan to attack the fortified town of Beersheba to the east. The town was held by 1,000 Turkish riflemen, nine machine-guns and two aircraft, and was attacked by an allied force of more than 40,000. Capture of Beersheba was not only essential to taking Gaza, but to securing water for the troops and horses. When the town had not fallen by the afternoon of the 31st of October, the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade was sent in to capture Beersheba in a cavalry style charge. Charging on the town, the troops were spotted by Turkish gunners who opened fire as they approached the trenches. Frank Burton was in the front line of his sector. As he charged he was wounded by enemy fire as his horse jumped over the trenches. A stretcher bearer stopped to help. Burton told him “Go on, leave me. I’m done!”

Fierce and bloody fighting ensued as the Australians attempted to push the enemy back. Eventually they succeeded in taking the town, mostly intact. The capture of the town turned the Gaza–Beersheba line and a week later the city of Gaza fell, leading the way for the allies to enter Jerusalem. The 4th Light Horse Brigade suffered more than 60 casualties during the charge on Beersheba. Among the dead was Second Lieutenant Frank Burton.

His friend and comrade, Lieutenant Frank Phillips wrote to Burton’s mother:

“You will have received word that you have lost your boy, and I have lost my best pal. I must convey in words my deep sympathy for you in your loss, which I feel keenly. We were in the attack on Beersheba at 4pm on the 31st of October and were told it must fall that night. It fell, and Frank was part of the price of the victory … Frank fell at the head of his men and died almost immediately. If I get through I will tell you all that I can of Frank who was loved and respected by officers and men. A gallant gentleman and true pal lies on the plain before Beersheba.”

Frank Burton was buried near where he fell, at Beersheba War Cemetery. He was 23 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Second Lieutenant Francis James Burton, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meghan Adams
Researcher, Military History Section