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George Betton  G. Betton     1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

Surname Betton
Forename/s George
Rank Private
Service Number 4983874
DOB June1910 in Tupton
Address  
Date & place of death/details 8/2/1944 aged 34
Contracted Malaria whilst serving in India. Died on board ship whilst returning home.
Regiment & Unit 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.
Service details India.
Military Awards?  
Married?               Children?  
Any photographs? Yes - Derbyshire Times.
Derbyshire Times Obituary- 3/3/1944 page 7 Newspaper report on George Betton.
Parents names William and Sarah Betton.
Parents address 7, Chapel Street, New Tupton
Grave location or   memoria location No Grave - Buried at sea.
Brookwood Memorial, England, Panel 10. column 1.
Living relatives?  
Any other information Called up in July 1940.
Pre war occupation was with the Chesterfield rural Council.
He had two brothers also serving in the army.
William and Sarah would have 5 sons and 2 daughters and in the 1940’s lived at 7 Chapel Street, New Tupton.
George was the third son having brothers Richard, William, Frederick, John Thomas and sisters Francis and Charlotte. I have no information if George was still living with his parents, but he was working at Chesterfield Rural Council before the war.
When George died, he was serving in the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. I have to assume that this was the regiment he joined when he was called up in July 1940, but this is not definitive. It was fairly common for soldiers to change regiments in WWI, however much less so in WW2.
The 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment served the entire duration of the war in Asia, being part of the 14th Army (known as the forgotten Army) which fought the Japanese. The regiment was involved in the long retreat through Burma before a successful stand was made on the India/Burma border. Georges record states that his service area was in India, so he was definitely part of the defensive lines and had probably been involved with the fighting throughout Burma.
The obituary for George states that he died on the 8th February 1944 whilst returning from India. He had been ill with malaria and was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. The illness was obviously so severe that he was being transported back to the UK by ship, however he tragically died during the Journey. George was buried at sea.
Having no grave, he is remembered on the Brookwood Memorial, England, Panel 10. Column 1.
Campaign Medals:
War Medal 1939-1945

1939-1945 war Medal		 As with most Armed Forces Serving Personal during the conflict of World War Two, George Betton was entitled to the War Medal 1939-1945. This medal was awarded to all full time service personnel who had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. Eligible personnel who had been “Mentioned In Despatches” during the War were entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf emblem on the ribbon. Those eligible for a campaign star, yet who had their service cut short by death, wounds or capture by the enemy, still qualified for this medal.
1939-45 Star

1939-45 Star		 Given the information available it is likely that George Betton was awarded the 1939-45 Star for operational Service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939, and 2nd September 1945.

George Betton would have been awarded this star if their service period was terminated by their death or disability due to service. Also the award of a gallantry medal or “Mention In Despatches” also produced the award of this medal, regardless of their service duration.

Fighter Aircraft Crew who took part in the Battle of Britain (10 July to 31 October 1940) were awarded the "Battle of Britain" bar to this medal. In undress uniform, a silver-gilt rosette was worn on the medal ribbon to denote the award of this clasp.