The papers comprise two series of letters: the first is of 84 letters written by Burton to his mother during his service on the China Station, 1853-1858; and the second are letters to his family, 1859-1860, 1862-1865 and 1871-1873.

Administrative / biographical background
Son of Captain Alfred Burton (q.v.), Burton was commissioned as first lieutenant in 1853. He served in the WINCHESTER and CALCUTTA from 1853 to 1858 and took part in the Second China War. In 1858 he was temporarily attached to the Canton Constabulary. On his return home he was stationed at Plymouth, 1859 to 1860. Burton was promoted to captain in 1861 and to major in 1862. He served in the PHOEBE in the Mediterranean from 1862 to 1865 and was in the marine battalion in Japan attached to the IRON DUKE, flagship on the China Station, 1870 to 1873. He retired in 1884 with the rank of major-general.