Lancel Butcher
From Our Contribution
 Courtesy Pam Leunig | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Dec 1894 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 May 1949, aged 54 |
| Place of Death | Pinjarra, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 9 months |
| Description |
5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 165 lbs 74.843 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | Pinjarra, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Walter Butcher |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6967 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Sep 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 23 Dec 1916 ‒ 16 Feb 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A35 Berrima |
| Date of Return | 18 Jul 1919 ‒ 29 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMT Takada |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour Board |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Pupil at Serpentine Primary School until 11 Nov 1908. Privately tutored at home 1898 and 1899.
War Service
On entry into Blackboy Hill camp, Lancel was allocated to the 23rd reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, and he embarked with them for England, travelling from Fremantle aboard HMAT A35 Berrima to Devonport where they disembarked on 16 Feb 1917. On arrival in England Lancel was posted to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington, but on 28 Mar 1917 he was admitted to the Parkhouse Hospital with mumps. Recovered he returned to the 3rd Training Battalion to complete his training before he proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone on 3 May 1917.
In France he joined the 11th Battalion on 10 May 1917 as they withdrew after a period in the front lines and rested in billets at Bapaume. Hospitalised on 29 Jul 1917, he was treated by the 3rd Field Ambulance and the 15th Casualty Clearing Station before being loaded onto Ambulance Train No. 15 on 29 Jul 1917 for the 22nd General Hospital at Dannes where he was admitted on the 31st. Transferred to the 5th General Hospital on 4 Aug 1917, he was embarked on HMHS Carisbrook Castle for England on 10 Aug 1917 with Trench Fever. On 14 Aug 1917 he was admitted to the University War Hospital in Southampton. Granted furlough from 10 - 24 Sep 1917 on his recovery, after which he reported to Codford, and then the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill from 27 Nov 1917 until he was classed as fit to resume the fight.
Lance again proceeded overseas to France on 19 Dec 1917, this time via Southampton, and rejoined his battalion on 31 Dec 1917. However he became ill again soon after and was hospitalised with bronchitis on 12 Jan 1918. Treated by the 2nd Field Ambulance and the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, before entering the 8th Stationary Hospital at Wimereux on 14 Jan 1918. He later embarked on the HS Jan Breydel for England on 1 Feb 1918. On arrival back in England he was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital, remaining with them until 12 Feb 1918 when he was released first to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford and then the No 2 Command Depot Weymouth on 4 Apr 1918. Health and strength recovered, Lancel was again embarked for France on 24 Jul 1918 in Folkestone, rejoining the 11th Battalion in the field on 31 Jul 1918 at Pradelles north west of Armentieres on the French/Belgium border.
On 16 Dec 1918 he was again off to hospital via the 3rd Field Ambulance and the 47th Casualty Clearing Station before being placed on Ambulance Train No. 42 on 6 Jan 1919. Admitted with myalgia to the 10th General Hospital in Rouen. Discharged a fortnight later he bounced around base units until he rejoined the 11th Battalion on 7 Apr 1919. His return to Australia commenced when he left the battalion on 20 May 1919, embarking for England on 28 May 1919 and his eventual discharge by the 5th Military District on 7 Oct 1919.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1925 West Murray, Pinjarra, farm hand; 1931 Marradong, farmer with Harry Douglas; 1937 - 1943 Ravenswood, farmer. Family report that he returned to Australian suffering most probably with shell shock (PTSD), and lived at the rear of the Ravenswood Hotel in a three room cottage with his Aunt Amy Thomas (nee Armstrong).
Notes
Brother of Leonard, name was included on the Kelmscott Congregational Church Honour board.