|
“He was instrumental in bringing about the successful integration of
health and social care services in our city – a first for Great
Britain. He upheld the office of Mayor with great dignity and worked
tirelessly for the benefit of his selected charities. Our thoughts
are with his wife, Beryl, and their children and grand-children at
this sad time.”
Before
moving to Peterborough Councillor Burton had a distinguished career
in the RAF during which he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation and,
in 1976, was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours. He was
a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation, a graduate of the
National Defence College and a member of the Livery of the Guild of
Air Pilots and Navigators.
He was
born in Paris and moved to England with his English father and
French mother in June 1940 following the German invasion of France.
He joined the RAF at 18 and, after completing his officer training
at Cranwell, he flew as a navigator on B-29 bombers based at Marham,
near King's Lynn.
In 1955 he
was stationed with the first nuclear V-bomber squadron at RAF
Wittering, near Stamford. His RAF duties took him all over the world
and included senior appointments in NATO and the Ministry of Defence
during which he was extensively involved in the planning of the
Falklands War in 1982.
He was
promoted to Air Commodore and appointed as Defence and Air Attaché
to France, based at the British Embassy in Paris until his
retirement from the RAF in 1987.
After
leaving the RAF he formed a business consultancy called Advanced
Systems International, specialising in working with British and
French companies. He became UK director for a large French defence
company and UK consultant to Matra Defence.
His city
council roles included cabinet responsibility for adult social care,
during which he was instrumental in the creation of the Greater
Peterborough Primary Care Partnership (now NHS Peterborough) and
membership of Greater Peterborough Partnership, the city's strategic
planning group.
During his
mayoral year he raised £29,000 for Diabetes UK, Age Concern and
SSAFA Forces Help (the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families
Association). As mayor he also focused on stimulating business and
inward investment while highlighting issues of ageism and employment
of young people and disabled persons.
He leaves
a widow, Beryl, and three children – Ms Nicole Tudor-Williams, a
physiotherapist who lives in Oxford, Peter Burton, a company
financial director, and Squadron Leader Michael (Jeremy) Burton, who
works for the Ministry of Defence – and six grandchildren.
October 2009 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
|
