Harry Douglas Butcher
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Mardella, Western Australia |
| Death | 16 Jan 1982 |
| Place of Death | Safety Bay, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description | 5' 8" (1.72m) tall; weight 144 lbs (65.3 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair |
| Occupation | farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Hugh John Butcher |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 3615 |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Feb 1917 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 57th Battalion, 10th reinforcements / 15th brigade, 5th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 28 Feb 1918 - 20 Apr 1918 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A71 Nestor |
| Date of Return | 12 Jul 1919 - 16 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS City of Exeter |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Armadale (Armadale panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Although his enlistment is shown as 8 Feb 1917, his parents do not give permission for him to enlist until 1 month later.
Soon after commencing training he was admitted to hospital and remains under medical care until 12 Sep 1917.
Before embarking he was identified as a potential officer, and received training at Portsea and Broadmeadows in Victoria, before returning to enlisted ranks training.
He finally embarked for overseas service on 28 Feb 1918.
Following further time training at Codford in England he proceeded to France on 10 Jul 1918 and joined the 57th Battalion on a fine warm day - 24 Jul 1918, in time for the 3rd Battle of the Somme.
The 57th Battalion was active east of Villers-Bretonneux; in the front line near Proyart; Brie; and along the Somme River, as the Australian units worked towards Péronne and then beyond to the Beaurevoir Line. The battalion was withdrawn for a last time from the front lines in the evening of 1 Oct 1918.
Discharged 5 Military District on 9 Sep 1919.
ANSWERED THE CALL Feb 5th - Fit H.D. Butcher (Armadale)[1]
COMING HOME - OUR RETURNING HEROES - City of Exeter List...3615 Pte Butcher, H. D., 57th Battalion.[2]
Post War
On 19 Apr 1927 he married Emily Jane Batt. Sadly Emily died in 1929 and Harry doesn't appear to remarry.
In the 1925 and 1931 electoral rolls Harry is farming at Marradong south of Boddington. In 1936 and 1937 he was a timberman at 'Riverina' near Menzies with Noel Albert who was a miner and his wife Alice. In the 1954 to 1972 electoral records he is listed as a timber worker, living in Claremont and in 1977 at Safety Bay where he died.