Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of James and Eliza BUTT

# 3359 BUTT James Henry                                         49th Battalion
 
James Butt was born in Toowoomba in 1872 to parents James and Eliza Butt. The Butt family lived in Cooyar and young James attended Cooyar School. After leaving school he would appear to have taken up an apprenticeship as a baker in the town. He married his wife Alice and proceeded to raise a family in Cooyar. James was an amateur musician and a member of a military band in Toowoomba.
 
In the latter half of 1916, recruitment for the AIF was in a steady decline due in part to the publishing of AIF casualty figures incurred in the battles of Pozieres and Mouquet Farm during the Somme campaign. The Australian government was under pressure from Britain to follow the lead of the other dominions (Canada, New Zealand, South Africa) and introduce military conscription to maintain a viable fighting force. A plebiscite was to take place on 28th October and debate within the community had divided the nation. Within this climate of heightened tension, James Butt took a train to Toowoomba and presented himself to the Darling Downs recruiting depot. Perhaps James, was choosing to enlist, rather than be conscripted; even though given his age and family circumstances, he would have been unlikely to have been. The conscription plebiscite was defeated.
 
James advised the recruiting officer he was 44years old (the maximum age for enlistment was 45), married with three dependant children under the age of 16. He stated his occupation as baker. James was passed fit for overseas service by a medical officer. This probably more to do with the urgent need for enlistments rather than the suitability of James as an infantryman. He took a train to Brisbane and then on to the Enoggera Camp where he was placed initially into a depot battalion for basic military training. After five weeks, James was granted a period of 6 days home leave during which he spent 13 hours travelling home to Cooyar and three days finalising his affairs before returning to Enoggera. Upon his return, James was allocated to the 9th reinforcements of the 49th Battalion. At the same time, Alice and the younger children relocated to Ipswich Road, South Brisbane.
 
In late January 1917, the 9th reinforcements travelled by troop train to Sydney to embark on the “Ayrshire” on 24thJanuary. James allocated 4/- of his daily overseas pay of 5/- to his wife and children. Due to the likelihood of encountering enemy submarines, the “Ayrshire” sailed from Australia to South Africa and then out into the Atlantic before sailing in to the western most port of Devonport in Devon UK on 12th April 1917. The reinforcements proceeded to the 13th Brigade Training Battalion at Codford for further training.
 
James was unable to take part in training due to stiffness in his knees and lower legs. He reported that he had had this condition for some years. James was transferred to Weymouth Depot for assessment and his medical reports indicate that he was classified as C3; unfit for overseas or home service. The reports state senility and rheumatism and recommend James be returned to Australia for discharge. It is quite evident that James should have never been accepted into the AIF. He was too old and carried a disability. James embarked for the return journey on 19th October 1917, a year after his enlistment. Upon arrival in Brisbane, James was processed for discharge on 19th March 1918 and presumably joined his wife and younger children at Ipswich Road. James was awarded a pension of 15/- a fortnight and his wife 7/6d a fortnight. The two younger children were granted pensions of 5/- (Myrtle) and 3/9d (Norman)
 
James’ health deteriorated and he was hospitalised in the Military Hospital at Enoggera where he died on 14thSeptember 1919. James was buried in the South Brisbane Cemetery as a military casualty. James eldest son Ronald completed the Roll of Honour Circular from St George, Queensland.