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Lieutenant Eric Butler
1st Battalion (Duke of Edinburgh's) Wiltshire Regiment
Local Information:
We did have no information about Captain Butler's life in Hungerford. However, Phil Wood (War Memorials of West Berkshire website), kindly contacted the Virtual Museum (July 2011) saying that "Regarding the Butler brothers (Charles Kingstone and Eric, WW1), you note that you are not aware of their links to Hungerford. The National Probate Calendars record the probate of both of their estates. In both cases their address is given as Standen Manor and their father (Charles William) is the executor. Eric and his father can be found at Standen House/Manor in the 1901 census, CK is (I think) at school in Eastbourne."
He was killed in action on the 24th August 1916.
Photo Gallery:
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion attack Leipzig Redoubt, Thiepval, August 1916.[This was taken at or about the time that Lieutenant Butler was killed]
Lieutenant Butler's name on the Thiepval memorial to the missing
The Regimental cap badge for the Wiltshire Regiment
- The Regimental cap badge for the Wiltshire Regiment.
- Soldiers of the 1st Battalion attack Leipzig Redoubt, Thiepval, August 1916. [This was taken at or about the time that Lieutenant Butler was killed].
- Lieutenant Butler's name on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.
Regimental Information:
The Battalion War diary reads:
18.6.1916
Battalion in Billets Halloy-lesPernois. Three more officers joined the battalion for duty – 2nd/Lieutenants DF Brown, E Butler and HR Swindells.
21.7.1916
A working party, of 100 men and 8 NCOs, under 2nd Lieutenants Brown and Butler, was sent off to Englebelmer Wood
18.8.1916
Battalion took over a portion of the line at the Leipzig Salient.
24.8.1916
An intense artillery bombardment was put on the line, and the enemy defenses in an area North of this line at 4.10pm. The attack was carried out by 'A' Company on the left, 'B' Company in the centre and 'D' Company on the right.
The three companies commenced the assault at 4.10pm, and at 4.12pm, the artillery barrage lifted northwards and cleared the line. Progress on the extreme left was slow but on the right the position was gained and consolidation was started immediately. Casualties were heavy, amounting to about 320 men. 6 Officers were lost, 2nd/Lieutenant Butler being killed.
26.8.1916 Battalion relieved and marched back to Headauville. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.
The Canal Wharf, 2011