SE - J. Burton - Nbi - July 1907

Served at Vet Lab until he retired in 1932. His widow moved to Louise Decker Home in Nbi. until 1954/55. Then returned to Scotland where she died in 1974 aged 94

KAD 1922 - Overseer, Veterinary Dept., Kabete

Advertiser - 12/6/1908 - Advert - Butter from Messrs Linton & Burton, Athi River

Advertiser - 4/9/1908 - Subscribers for St. Andrew's Church Building Fund - James Burton - Rs. 20

Agricultural Journal 1908 - Brands allotted and registered - Linton and Burton, Oakwood, Athi River - Machakos B1L

Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Nairobi District - James Burton, Veterinary Dept.

Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Dagoretti - J. Burton

Dominion - Agricultural Department - Veterinary Research - Overseer - 1930

SKP - 1938 - Society of Kenya Pioneers - over 30 years in Colony - arrived Nov 1903 - Nairobi and Mrs Burton arrived Nov 1906 Red Book 1912 - J. Burton - Kyambu

Red Book 1919 - James Burton - Government Farm, Kabete, Nairobi

Red Book 1919 - Veterinary Department - Overseer - J. Burton

Gazette 7 Aug 1951 probate

Lawrence Burton (son) in mini-SITREP XLV Dec 2014 My father's initial connection with Kenya started when he was recruited by the British Government in Scotland, in 1903, to collect and ship out a selection of farm stock to Kenya. This was accomplished under the direction of a Major Linton, of whom I knew little other than his name. The collection included most farm animals from heavy draught horses to a pair of Angora goats. Unfortunately the Angora male jumped overboard on the sea journey. A farm was established on the site of the Muthaiga Golf Club and my father was installed as manager. During the time he was there he undertook to align and build the section of road between Forest Road (cemetery end) and the junction of Fort Hall and Ruiru roads, using convict labour. He left the Service in 1906, and married my mother Catherine Jane Stevens in St Stephens Church, which originally stood on Whitehouse Road at the Railway crossing. As I said earlier, I knew nothing of the background or history of Major Linton, and can only assume that he left the Service at the time as my father, as they formed a partnership to farm in the area of the Lukenia Hills. The objective was to cross the imported Merino with the local sheep. This was doomed to failure due entirely to the inadequacy of dipping solutions at that time to penetrate the heavy fleece of the Merino. The problem was, of course, the ticks. I was born on the farm, certainly without the aid of a midwife, but the doctor did arrive shortly after my birth. The hardships of the time can be judged by the fact that mother spent the early stages of labour on her own, while my father rode as fast as a mule could carry him to Athi River Station to call the Doctor; I arrived just before him. My father left Lukenia and in the period up to 1912 tried to farm on his own in Lumbwa, and then in the Masongalene - Kibwezi area. He decided he could not accept the health risks involved and in 1912, rejoined the Agriculture Department, which had by this time moved from the original farm at Muthaiga to Kabete, the Laboratories at Upper Kabete (Animal Husbandry) and Plant Industries at Lower Kabete. He served with the Laboratories until his retirement in 1930. During this time at Kabete, my parents were well known, particularly in the large farming community in the Nakuru area. They were always in the forefront in raising funds for charity by organising one-day and weekend tennis tournaments. 47 As my father was unable to join the forces in the 1914-18 War mother undertook to establish and run the officers' mess of the Indian Mounted Artillery Battery encamped near their house After my father's death in 1952, my mother remained in Kenya until 1962 when, as there was some doubt about her welfare, I sent her home to Scotland. She died in 1973 at the age of 93.