William Edward Butcher MM RMG MID

Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown
Place of Birth	Armadale, Western Australia
Death	31 Dec 1971
Place of Death	Dalkeith, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 8 months
Description	5' 5¾" (1.67m) tall; weight 143 lbs (64.9 kg); dark complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair
Occupation	orchardist
Religion	Congregational
Address	Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother Mrs Hannah Sophia Butcher
Military Information
Reg Number	2579
Date of Enlistment	25 Jun 1915
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit/Formation	11th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement transferred to 51st battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division
Date of Embarkation	2 Nov 1915 - 26 Nov 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A38 Ulysses
Date of Return	1 May 1919 - 1 Jun 1919
Ship Returned On	SS China
Fate	Wounded in Action 3 Sep 1916 Mouquet Farm Wounded in Acton 12 Oct 1917 Passchendaele Returned to Australia.
Monument	Armadale (Bedfordale panel) Bedfordale Honour Board Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board
Medals	Military Medal Russian St George Medal British War Medal MID Victory Medal

War Service

Served in Egypt, at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Joined 11th Battalion A Company on Lemnos Island on 12 Dec 1915 so may not have been part of the battalion on Gallipoli.

On 1st Mar 1916 he was one of the 11th Battalion men allocated to the 51st Battalion on its formation.

In France, during the 51st Battalion's first attack on Mouquet Farm (where they sustained 302 casualties) his actions won him an Military Medal, and on their 2nd visit, he was wounded in the form of a GSW to his left shoulder and left thigh that required him to be admitted to 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth.

Following 4 months rehabilitation from his wounds, he was posted to the 70th Battalion where he was promoted to Lance Sgt, before returning to France as a reinforcement for 51st Battalion. While in England, he also he spent some time at the Imperial School of Instruction.

Rejoined his unit on 24 Sep 1917. Soon after his promotion to Sgt in the 51st Battalion, he was wounded again with a shell wound to the head while the battalion was in the line opposite Passchendaele (239 casualties sustained).

He returned to his unit within a month, and soon after was sent to the No 6 Officer Cadet Battalion in Oxford, where on 22 Jun 1918 he qualified for a commission in the Infantry.

On 1 Aug 1918 the AIF List 362 reports that he has been awarded the rank of 2Lt in infantry, and he returned to the 51st Battalion in France. He was later promoted Lieutenant on 1 Dec 1918. Remarks following his officer's training course on May 18th 1918 were: "A very smart cadet - keen and alert with a fair amount of intelligence - has made very satisfactory progress and shows powers of initiative and determination."

"After 3 weeks in Egypt went to Gallipoli and wrote home to say that after 6 weeks there, had yet to see a Turk. At Gallipoli took part in the evacuation, then went to France and ..."so distinguished himself at the taking of Mouquet Farm, on the 14 & 15 Aug 1916, that he has been promoted to Corporal and become the recipient of two medals, the Military Medal and the Russian Medal of St George. He is the first of the Australian soldiers to obtain the later distinction."

Another edition has a photo of himself and friend JHR Smith - their homes adjoined each other on the Upper Wungong River. Son of Mrs HS Butcher "Sherwood House".

In a letter to his mother...

"It's rotten about poor old Stan and Jess Dowell isn't it? Walter Kerridge got a bit of a wound in the hand, but nothing serious, while out helping to get in a wounded man. He's a game young kid. He knew the Germans wouldn't recognise the white flag, but he went out on chance and they peppered into him. He was lucky in getting hit only once, and then in the hand. I wouldn't mind his wound at all. Have a bit of good news for you. I have been recommended for some sort of award, but I expect that is as far as it will go, as these things have to go so high. You can address my letters now "Corporal", for they have been foolish enough to promote me a bit. Please don't make too much of me being recommended. It just happened to be my luck."

On August 28th General Birdwood presented William with his medal ribbon (the medals were not yet finished) on the battle field near Albert. The troops are required to wear the ribbons.

On September 3rd he was wounded, and reported home.

"Our battalion has made another charge, and I got slightly wounded. I got hit in the left leg, just above the knee, and in the outside of the left shoulder, just small hits both of them; in fact I didn't know I was hit for about a quarter of an hour, for I couldn't find the holes, and thought that I was just wacked with a bit of dirt. Was sitting guarding two Germans when I was hit, and was waiting for some more of them. I don't know who brought them in; I didn't."

ILL...W.E. Butcher (Armadale), seriously...

Progress Report ... W.E. Butcher (Armadale) progressing favourably, previously reported seriously ill.

The 197th Casualty List containing the names of Western Australian soldiers included "Progress Report ..W. E. Butcher (Armadale), convalescent, previously reported seriously ill."

231st Casualty List..WOUNDED ...Lance Corporal W.E. Butcher, Armadale, previously reported seriously ill...

OUR RETURNING HEROES....CHINA LIST.... Lieut Butcher (M.M.) W.E. 51st Btn.

"When the NCOs of his platoon were killed or wounded, Private W.E. Butcher organised the remnants of his platoon and deployed them in shell holes in front of 'Fabeck Graben'. Under Butcher's direction, the riflemen returned the enemy's fire whilst a number of wounded men were evacuated."

Award Commentary

First mentioned in Gen Haig's despatch dated 7th Nov 1917. Again mentioned in Haig's 7 Apr 1918 despatch

The St. George Medal. A Russian bravery award for merit in combat. Associated with the Order of St. George, but ranking below the St George Cross. The St. George Medal came in four classes, Gold medallions for 1st and 2nd class (shown). Silver medallions for 3rd and 4th. A bow on the ribbon denoted 1st class and 3rd. The medal was awarded for merit to other Allied soldiers as well as Russians.

Military Medal. 'During an attack on a German Trench near MOUQUET FARM on the night of 14th/15th August, 1916, this man showed splendid initiative. When all the N.C.O.s of his platoon were either killed or wounded, he took command, rallied the remainder of the men, ordered them to dig in and held on until day light, after which he withdrew them skilfully to our own trench. Also, during day light on the morning of 25th August, 1916, under fire, he assisted in bringing in 5 wounded men from No Man's Land to shelter within our lines.'

Post War

1922 a Pastoralist along with his brother Harry Douglas at Payne's Find.

1925, 1930 and 1931 they are on Spring Hills station via Carnarvon with Henry's wife Amy. In 1936 and 1937 May (nee McWhirter) who he married in 1932 has joined them at Hill Springs.

By 1943 he and May had moved to Milgun station near Meekatharra and were still there in 1949, but the 1954 roll shows his address as Nangetty station, Mingenew.

In 1958 he and his wife are at 42 Jutland Parade, seeming with a manager living on the station, and this remains the same until his death.