DATA BASE REF: M/N 1001

REGINALD WILLIAM BURTON

2^nd SON OF WILLIAM AND MAUD BURTON

BORN JUNE 2^nd 1924 AT CASTOR

At the outbreak of the Second World War I was too young to join the services but in 1943 I volunteered for the Royal Navy and was accepted.

I was detailed to join the navy at Chatham Barracks on June 1^st – a day before my 19^th birthday – and passed a trade test to become an Engine Room Artificer. Following three months initial training I boarded a troop ship for Malta to a shore establishment.

From there I joined H.M.S Brixham – a mine- sweeper carrying out duties in the Mediterranean notably helping to clear a minefield in the Straits of Boniface and taking part in a combined landing operation close to Toulon.

18 months later, I was transferred to a cruiser – H.M.S Delhi – being attacked by German E.Boats in the harbour of Split – Yugoslavia. I remained with the ship until it returned to the U.K. on the day peace was declared in 1945.

Prior to this I served on naval ships in the Far East – visiting Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. I was demobbed in December 1946.