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James "Jim" was born in 1866. He was the son of William Burton and Eliza Chorley.
UK Census Date 1871: Living with his parents and younger sister Ellen in Monks Coppenhall, Cheshire, England. Aged 5 and a Scholar. His father was an Engine Fitter.
He joined the English postal services at Bury in Lancaster and was trained as a telegraphist in Derby.
In 1887, aged 24, he and three other young postal workers sailed in the Drummond Castle to South Africa.
At the age of 25 he married Florence Mason on 18 March 1891 at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. His occupation was recorded as Telegraphist.[1]
They went on to have about 9 children.
When the Second South African (Boer) War broke out in 1899, Jim had by then become Controller of Telegraphs. He was instructed to select two other telegraphists and proceed to join Lieutenant–General Sir George White's column. Jim and his assistants were attached to the Natal Carbineers. They caught up with the column at Ladysmith and reported to the General's Chief of Staff. He instructed them to open what communications they could.
Jim survived the siege of Ladysmith and was re-united with his wife and family. In recognition of his service, he was granted six months' leave and a passage to England for himself and his six children. They stayed in Derby.
He returned to South Africa and took up the post of Post Master at Dundee, Natal. His wife Florence and children remained in England for three years.
After the return of his family in 1900 the Zulu rebellion under Chief Dinizulu broke out. Jim was attached as a signals officer to General Duncan Mackenzie of the Natal Carbineers.
Sadly Jim drowned in 1911 rescuing his second son Bill and another boy who had been swept out to sea at Amanzimtoti on the south coast of Natal. He was just 45 years of age.[2]
West St Cemetery, Durban, District Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Portion Methodist; Grave no 9; Block B. Revision: 14
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B > Burton > James Chorley Burton
Categories: British Settlers in Natal, South Africa | South Africa, Drownings