Betty McKenzie (Burton)
On Sunday 16th November, Betty and her family
attended the unveiling and dedication of three statues for VC winners from the
Euroa district. The three men were
Leslie Maygar (Boer War), Fred Tubb and Alex Burton (World War 1). Alex Burton was Betty’s uncle.
Alex Burton, Fred Tubb and another soldier, William Dunstan
from Ballarat, were all awarded VCs in the same action at Lone Pine, Gallipoli
on the 9th August 1915.
Under heavy attack, they repulsed a determined Turkish advance and
repeatedly rebuilt a sandbag barricade.
Alex Burton was killed in the action and William Dunstan
severely wounded. All three Euroa
VC winners died before the end of the war.
The bridge over the Seven Creeks in Euroa is named Burton’s
Bridge in memory of Alex. South of
Euroa on the freeway are Tubb’s Hill and Maygar’s Hill in honour of Leslie
Maygar and Fred Tubb.
The three statues and accompanying story boards are well worth a diversion off the freeway at Euroa. They can be found in the VC Memorial Park, Kirkland Avenue.
