Leonard Butcher
From Our Contribution
 photo courtesy Cheryl Mellor | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c Oct 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Serpentine, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 May 1917 |
| Place of Death | Bullecourt, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5'9¾" (1.77m) tall ; 146 lbs 66.224 kg ; sallow complexion ; grey eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | NOK Pinjarra, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Walter Butcher |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3056 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 7th Reinforcements |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jan 1916 ‒ 16 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A7 Medic |
| Fate | Killed in Action, 3 May 1917 2nd Bullecourt |
| Monument |
Serpentine Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
A student at the Serpentine Primary School during 30 Jun - 14 Dec 1908. His mother Jessie (nee Armstrong) died before his second birthday on 3 Sep 1900.
War Service
Two months after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Leonard was allocated to the 7th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion and travelled with them to Egypt, where on 14 Feb 1916 he was charged with leaving the troopship without leave to do so. Punishment was the loss of five days pay.
On arrival in Egypt, Leonard barely had time to settle in before he was again embarked, this time from Alexandria on 21 Mar 1916 aboard SS Oriana for Marseilles where they disembarked on 21 Mar 1916.
Sent to the 2nd Division's Base Depot in Étaples on 27 Mar 1916, he was admitted to the 9th Stationary Hospital the same day with VD, a carry over from his brief stay in Egypt. Discharged to duty 71 days later, he returned to the base depot for another two months before joining the 28th Battalion on 17 Aug 1916 at Bonville as the remnants of the Battalion was leaving the Poziéres area following a stint in the front lines.
On 3 Sep 1916 he was seen by the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance and sent on to the Casualty Clearing Station with Myalgia, and then on 5 Sep 1916 to the 14th General Hospital at Wimereux with influenza. Three days later he was released to the No 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne until 14 Sep 1916 when he was returned to the base depot in Étaples. He eventually rejoined the 28th Battalion on 9 Nov 1916. His records contain an entry 'Reported Missing' for 16-18 Nov 1916 without further explanation, with the following entry saying that he had returned to his unit on 20 Nov 1916.
He again reported to hospital on 12 Dec 1916, via the 6th Australian Field Ambulance and the 38th Casualty Clearing Station with bronchitis, returning to the 28th Battalion on 23 Jan 1917. On 11 Jan 1917 he again seeks help from the 6th Australian Field Ambulance, presenting this time with neuritis, later diagnosed as mumps. He rejoined the battalion on 3 Mar 1917.
Leonard was Killed in Action on 3 May 1917 during what became known as 2nd Bullecourt. The 28th Battalion on this day were attacking to the left of Reincourt and took heavy casualties
Notes
Name is included on the Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board.