Fr Denis W. Martin, Priests of 1928, Brisbane, 2003, pp 121-123:
Mons. Francis Burton

The first Queenslander to come through the new Seminary at Manly was Fr Burton. On the St Patrick's list of graduates he is No. 12.

And Francis Leonard Burton was a real Brisbanite. He was born in 1872, schooled at St Stephen's Mercy School and St James Boys School. In September of 1897, he was ordained by Cardinal Moran in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. As a young priest, he worked in Charleville, Toowoomba and Bundaberg.

In 1908 he succeeded as Parish Priest at Southport where he remained for ten years. In those years, Southport was the popular destination of priests for their two weeks holiday. The older priests would recall heading down by train to Southport with one or two ports of clothing. They would put up at the old Grand Hotel or one of the local guest houses.

They were great days for being together, fishing or boating on the Nerang River and playing cards or yarning at night. Frank Burton was always welcoming and especially good to any sick priests who might be recuperating there on extended leave. Canonically he gave faculties to all the visitors.

For some years Frank was President of the Manly Union of Priests. He went to Crow's Nest for two years before taking up what was his last appointment, Parish Priest of Wilston from 1920-1947.

While here, he extended the Church, served as secretary and member of the Diocesan Council and overall did a great deal of good in a quiet and simple way. He was also helpful and generous to students for the priesthood.

In 1944 he was made a Domestic Prelate with the title Monsignor.

Preparations were being made for his Golden Jubilee of ordination when he became ill, was admitted to the Mater Hospital, and died soon after on 4th August 1947. After Requiem Mass at St Columba's, Wilston, he was buried at Nudgee.

From 1943 until his death, Mons. Burton had been visiting confessor to Banyo Seminary. He missed by ten months the first ordination from the local Seminary which took place in June of 1948.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Martin.)

---

Fr T.J. Linane, From Abel to Zundolovich, Vol. 1, 1979, p 38:

Burton, Francis, Rt. Rev., Australian
Prominent at Manly and in Manly Union
"One of the best known and highly respected priests in the Archdiocese of Brisbane". (Manly Annual 1948). b. Bris. 2.10.1872; ed. at Mercy Sisters School, Bris., Christian Bros. at St. James', Boundary St, and S.P.C. Manly. Ord. in Syd. by Cardinal Moran on 18.9.'97, Served at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Charleville, Toowoomba for six years, and Bundaberg. P.P. of Southport '08-'18. Then Crows' Nest. Wilston 1919-47. Secretary of the Bris. Diocesan Council, Director of Priests' Eucharistic League, and for many years was prominent in the Manly Union, served a term as President. A great helper of priests studying for the priesthood. While preparations were being made for the celebration of his Golden Jubilee he died at the Mater Hospital, Bris., on 4.8.1947; age 74. Burial: Wilston Cemetery.
(Footprints, Vol. 1, No. 9)
Ref.: MDHC File, Torquay, and Manly Annual 1948.

---

Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rt Rev Francis Burton, died 4 Aug 1947

Born in Brisbane 2nd October, 1872, the son of Mr and Mrs John Burton. He was educated at Mercy Sisters School, Brisbane and with the Christian Brothers at St James. He was the first Queenslander to commence studies for the priesthood at St Patrick's Seminary, Manly, and was the twelfth student to be ordained from that institution. This took place on 18th September, 1897, in St Mary's Cathedral Sydney by Cardinal Moran. He served at St Stephen's Cathedral; Charleville (1897); Toowoomba (for six years) and Bundaberg. He was PP of Southport from 1909-1918, then Crow's Nest and Wilston 1919-1947. Secretary of the Brisbane Diocesan Council, Director of the Priests' Eucharistic League, he was a great helper of priests studying for the Priesthood. While preparations were being made for the celebration of his Golden Jubilee, he died at the Mater Hospital aged 74, and was buried at Nudgee Cemetery after a requiem Mass at Wilston.
(Ref. Linane B136, Manly Oct. 1948, Vol. 8, No. 1)

Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.