Ashtead War Memorials - Wg Cdr Howard Frizelle 'Billy' Burton DSO DFC*

The Times October 23, 1939
Engagement Announced: Flight Lt Howard F Burton, youngest son of the late Major L Burton, RA and of Mrs Burton of Rynnville, Bray, Eire and Jean Ferelith Maxwell only daughter of Air Commodore EDM Robertson, CB, DFC (retd), and Mrs Robertson of Tain, Ashtead, Surrey.
via Ann Williams

Note: Air Commodore EDM Robertson and Mrs Robertson of Tain, Ashtead, Surrey were the parents of F/O Duncan M Robertson, who is also on the Ashtead War Memorial.

Jean Ferelith Maxwell Burton is noted on the CWGC record as of West Humble, Surrey.

The Times October 19, 1944
Deaths on Active Service: Reported missing on June 3, 1943, now presumed killed in action, Wing Commander Howard Frizelle “Billy” Burton, DSO, DFC and Bar, Croix de Guerre, most adored husband of Jean (nee Robertson), of Tain, Ashtead, Surrey, and beloved youngest son of the late Major L Burton, RA and of Mrs E Burton, late of Hitchen, Herts.
via Ann Williams

CWGC record: http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1530929
Wg Cdr Burton has no known grave and is named on Panel 118 of the RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL.
He was awarded the Sword of Honour, 1936, RAF College, Cranwell.

S/L Howard Frizzelle 'Billy' Burton took over the leadership of No 616 Squadron flying the Spitfire on the 3rd of September 1940.
He was formerly a flight commander with No 66 Squadron
He was assessed as follows:
As a fighter pilot: Above Average
As a pilot : Above Average
In Air Gunnery : Exceptional
http://www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/pilots/Br-pilots.htm

HF Burton is on the Battle of Britain Roll of Honour, No 66 Squadron
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/roll.html

Kittyhawk IIA FL341 of No 3 Sqn RAAF, flown by Wg Cdr HF 'Billy' Burton, OC No 239 Wing, Marble Arch, Libya, 28 December 1942
Wg Cdr 'Billy' Burton had four shared victories flying Spitfires when he assumed command of No.239 Wing in late 1942. When leading his wing, he flew various aircraft from its units, and on 28 December 1942 he made use of short-backed Kittyhawk IIA FL341 - the only time he did so. He achieved ace status with his first Kittyhawk kill in early January, flying FL347, also a No.3 Sqn aircraftLike 'Pedro' Hanbury, Burton was a passenger in the Hudson downed over the Bay of Biscay on 3 June 1943 by a Ju 88.
CFL341 was struck off charge on 8 March 1944
Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth, by Tony Holmes

page created 5 Feb 2009
If you can add to this page or have corrections, please contact the editor.