Burton, James Wilson ( - 1919)

Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps

Buried at Rawalpindi War Cemetery

Commemorated at City of Glasgow Roll of Honour at Glasgow City Chambers

James Wilson Burton was born on 21st October 1890 in Vienna. His father, Thomas John, was a doctor and both James and his brother Thomas, born a year later in Scotland, would follow him into medicine and acquit themselves with distinction. The family originally lived in Bearsden but had moved to 33 Cecil Street by the time James began his medical studies in 1907, aged just sixteen on the day he matriculated.

His undergraduate record suggests a difficult beginning with subjects for the First Professional exam. That hurdle cleared, however, the rest seemed to be plain sailing. He graduated MB ChB in 1912 and began medical practice.

During the First World War James served in the RAMC, initially as a Lieutenant but later promoted to Captain, gazetted on the 29th November 1918. He was posted to the North West Frontier, in what is now Pakistan and worked with the Lowland Field Ambulance unit. He was attached to the 18th General Hospital and served with courage, earning a Mentioned in Despatches (MID).

By that time he was married, to Alice Isobel Lambert. Sadly, he did not return to her from the war. Captain Burton died on the 5th July, 1919. He is buried at Rawalpindi cemetery, one of 257 Commonwealth casualties. His brother Thomas did return and, after completing his medical degree, enjoyed a successful career and became a major benefactor to the University.

Reproduced with permission from the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-intro/