Burton, Robert Elwood
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Robert Elwood |
Surname | Burton |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 18-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Norman Edsal Burton and Margaret Lillian Burton (née Kearns), of Timmins, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax VII |
Serial Number | NP706 |
Markings | QO-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | XIV. A. 2. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 139 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/87892 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 432 (Leaside) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Centre, Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone & Metal Sun Dial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served at RAF East Moor and in particular 415 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
Robert was born at Timmins Ontario on 4 April 1924. Both parents were born in Ontario. His father in Barrie (died 1935) and was a gold miner and his mother was born in Gilford. He had six brothers, George, John. Norman, Llewelyn, Franklin and Vivian as well as a half brother William Milton Kearns 32yrs. He also had sisters, Margaret and Norma. The schools he attended were Middle Road, Port Credit 1938-1939 (commercial) and Parkdale College, Toronto, 1939-1940.(Matric) -both in Ontario. Robert enjoyed Gymnastics and swimming and his hobby was woodwork. He worked at Plewes Jackson Engineers as a machinist between 1940-1942. He then enlisted on 8 November 1942. |
After training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Halifax on 26 August 1943. He arrived at 3PRC 2 September 1943 then went to 23 OTU on 21 September 1943, 61 Base 18 November 1943 and 432 Squadron 10 January 1944. Sadly, on 18 July 1944 Robert lost his life aged just 20 years old. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 18-07-1944 |
End Date | 18-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Caen |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak and fuselage caught fire. Of the remaining crew, four became PoW and two evaded capture |