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From the Archives - Kieth Alfred Burton (School Captain 1916)
Thursday, 11 February 2016
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Keith Burton entered the school in 1912 and left in 1916 in 6th Form. He was the son of Reverend A Burton from Middle Swan. Keith was talented academically and was a fine sportsman. He won a Mathematics Prize in 1914 and Greek Prize in 1915. Keith was a member of the 1st XI Cricket from 1913-1916, 1st XVIII Football 1914-1916, Rowing 1st IV 1916, Swimming team 1914-1916 and Athletics team 1915. He was Captain of Cricket in 1916 and held the rank of Sergeant in the Cadets. He was appointed a School Prefect in 1915 and was made School Captain in 1916. Keith joined the 28th Infantry Battalion, AIF on 29 January 1917 with the rank of Private. He sailed from Fremantle on the HMAT Miltiades and by the end of 1917 was writing from France that he was in fine form. He sent back news of other Old Boys who were serving with him at the time. Keith was severely wounded at Morlancourt at the Somme and returned to Australia on 15 September 1918. While away he was awarded his marksman badge for shooting in 1917 and the British Army Rifle Association Medal in 1918. In 1919 Keith went to University, taking an Arts course. He played in the University XI and did well in swimming. Keith was awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in 1919. In 1920 Keith joined the school staff for a short time to fill in for Mr Parry who was leaving. Keith left at the end of the term to take up a residence at Worcester College, Oxford. News was received by the School that by 1921 Keith was doing a fair bit of rowing and hoping to sit for his degree in June 1922. In 1923 Rev Burton received news from his son Keith that he had been awarded an Arden Prize valued at 100 pounds, as the result of an examination at Gray’s Inn, where he was regularly eating his dinners. Keith hoped to be called to the Bar after final examinations. He had taken his BA degree with 2nd Class Honours and hoped to return to Australia soon. The photo shows Keith in the 1916 1st XVIII Football team.  Back Row John Armstrong, Malcolm Rhodes, Frederick Vincent, Cecil Deykin, Hugh Lyon, George Hayward. Middle Row Douglas Trott, Cyril Elliott, Robert Adamson, Kenneth Duff, Leonard Green, Alfred Backhouse, James Ellis, Roy Clark, Keith Burton. Front Row Albany Padbury, Donald Sinclair, Jack Clark (Captain) Edward Holthouse, George Law. ROSEMARY WALLER ARCHIVIST |