Private Edward George Burton
- Rank
- Private
- Service number
- WX7007
- Unit
- 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion
- Cause of death
- Died as Prisoner of War
- Place of death
- Sandakan, Borneo
- Date of death
- 21 February 1945
- Age
- 22
- Plaque number
- MW41A
- Co-located plaques
- MW41 - LCPL Francis Armstrong
- Dedicated by
- Family & Fiancee on 25 June 2005
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Private Edward George Burton of 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion AIF was born in London on 13 August 1922.
His family came to Fremantle in 1925 to group settlements to farm. Edward attended school at Midland Junction and was always 'very athletic and was a good cross-country runner'.
His first job was a messenger boy at Wright's chemist. He enlisted in July 1940 at Midland Junction but gave 13 May 1920 as his birth date.
After training he was posted to the 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion. This battalion was raised in Western Australia and went to Singapore on RMS Aquitania as part of 8 Division.
They fought with distinction until hostilities ceased there in February 1942. Singapore, the impregnable fortress, had fallen.
Edward was initially interned at Changi and then in March 1943 was sent with 'E' Force on the SS de Klerk to Sandakan.
He died there of malaria on 21 February 1945, aged 22 years.