Britton D.J.C. - The OldWinburnians

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David Britton was the son of George Frederick and Mabel Britton of Victoria Road, Fordingbridge. He was the husband of Ursula Britton of Southampton.
David was in Derby House. He captained the Soccer 2nd Xl in 1930 and was the captain in 1931. However, in a report on the season it was stated, ' ... he has been very consistent - tackles & feeds his forwards well, but, on the whole a little slow in clearing'. Later that year he broke his collar bone playing Rugby . Apart from his sporting activities, in the Spring of 1932, he passed the School Certificate examination and also played the part of 'Miss Prism' in 'The Importance of Being Ernest', by Oscar Wilde.
David left W.G.S in the Summer of 1932 ,having been Head Boy and Senior Librarian of the Reference Library. During his last term he captained his house Cricket team and scored highly in a Shooting Match against the Old Boys. When he left, David made a small donation toward the "Pavilion Fund". (The pavillion still existed in 2000.)
At the Speech Day of 1933 , the Headmaster said that, ' He would like to pay a tribute to the inspiring leadership of D.J.C. Britton, who had captained the Sports teams throughout the previous year and he was awarded the "Walker's Athletic Cup"
David was present at the Summer Reunion in July of 1933. He was at the Dinner but did not play in any of the matches. Early in 1935, David married Fraulein Kuenstler and he missed the July Reunion as he was out of the country.
It is not known when David enlisted but, by the Spring of 1940, he was a Sergeant Instructor in the A. A. Section of the Royal Artillery. A year later he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant R.A., and was a Lieutenant in 1943. Early in 1945, he visited the School, prior to, '..going to visit the Mikado', which he did, in his capacity as a Captain in a Commando Parachute unit, initially in the India area.
Captain Britton was acting Major when he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in Burma during 1945.

The following is an extract from the School Magazine Number 101. Page 13.
Further details have come to hand concerning the late David Britton (Capt., acting Major, R.A.), who was posthumously awarded the M.C. during operations in Burma in 1945. He was killed in action on 3rd, June, 1945. The citation stated : "This officer was the leader of a party dropped by parachute behind enemy lines south of Toungoo. He rapidly organised a most efficient band of Burmese guerrillas, which provided intelligence of great value to the Army. Besides this intelligence they carried out numerous offensives , in the course of which they killed over 200 of the enemy before being overrun by our own troops.
Thereafter at the Army's request Capt.Britton 's group carried on their role on the flanks and continued to provide intelligence of great value, besides increasing their toll of the enemy to 600 killed and 28 prisoners-of-war. Capt. Britton's was only one of groups which were organised and launched by Force 136, but his was by far the most successful, and this must be attributed to his outstanding powers of leadership and personal bravery. He led his force in a number of actions, and it was his example which inspired in them a degree of bravery and perseverance far beyond the usual with men of their elementary training and discipline."
David's grave is in the Rangoon War Cemetery, Myanmar, which is behind the Burma Translation Society building and it is surrounded on three sides by Monasteries.

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In a letter written on the 13th January 1946, Major H.J.Marsh, R.A.S.C., a contemporary at W.G.S., wrote to the School, about several of his friends who had lost their lives during the war, including, "Britten and Bryant - two very distinguished 'giants' of their day winning ungrudging respect from us all. Their names, always coupled together during their school triumphs, will remain for our generation a reminder of early erudition, promising leadership and fine qualities; and now finally their names are as inseparable as our pride and grief in their heroism."
(Re-printed from 'The Winburnian' No. 100. Page 31)