Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Charles William Henry BUTLER
Service No: 3777A
Rank: Private
Unit: 49th Infantry Battalion

Our group of volunteers were honoured to restore the lettering to the headstone of WW1 veteran, Charles William Henry Butler and his wife Rebecca, located in Section 1 at Lutwyche Cemetery. There was some surface damage to the headstone, caused from years of being out in the elements, as well as its position under a large tree, however we were able to make it look well-kept again. We are thankful to the descendants of Charles and Rebecca, and Brisbane City Council for granting us permission to carry out these works, on their behalf.

Charles William Henry BUTLER was born on the 25th June 1881 in Birmingham, England to parents Emma Tanday and John Butler. His parents were married in 1878 and his elder brother, John was born in 1879.

The family emigrated to Australia, leaving London on board “Quetta” on the 17th December 1884, and arriving in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on the 10th February 1885. The family settled in Brisbane at Zillman’s Waterholes, a suburb now known as Zillmere. Between 1886 and 1899, John and Emma had five more children – one son and four daughters.
On the 3rd March 1910, Charles’ future wife Rebecca Kyle, gave birth to their only child, a daughter, whom they named Maud. By 1912, Charles and Rebecca were living at Edmonstone Street, Fortitude Valley where Charles worked as a labourer. In 1914, Charles had ventured north with his brother John to work on the Miles-Taroom Railway construction.

Charles enlisted for service in WW1 on the 15th September 1915 in Brisbane. He was attached to C Company, 3rd Depot Battalion and served with this battalion until 30th November, when he was transferred to the 25th Infantry Battalion.
Charles and Rebecca were married at the Joyful News Mission on the 28th December 1915. The following month, on the 31st January 1916, Charles embarked from Brisbane per HMAT “Wandilla” for Egypt. In April 1916, he was allotted to join the 49th Infantry Battalion from Helipolois and on the 2nd April was taken on strength of the 49th Battalion in Alexandria. Three days later, Charles proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force, disembarking in Marseilles, France on the 12th June.

In October the following year, Charles was detached to Cookery School of Instruction in Aveluy, France before rejoining his unit from detachment on the 25th November 1917. Charles was in the UK on leave from 12th September 1918, returning to his unit in France on 1st October. He marched out to England from Havre on the 27th January 1919, disembarking at Weymouth the following day.

Charles was returned to Australia per “Miltiades”, disembarking at the 2nd Military District in New South Wales on the 8th August 1919 and was discharged in Queensland on the 1st October 1919.

Following his service in WW1, Charles and Rebecca lived in their home at Edmonstone Street, Fortitude Valley for a number of years before moving to Park Street, Breakfast Creek in 1926. They again moved home in 1931, this time to Palomar Parade, Chermside.

Charles died in Brisbane on the 26th November 1949 at the age of 68 years. He was buried at Lutwyche Cemetery in the grave of his wife, Rebecca who predeceased him seven years earlier.
Lest We Forget