Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date – 8th July…… Patrick Butler was born at Ballarat, Victoria in 1894.

His father – John Butler died on 4th June, 1900.

On 30th March, 1916 Patrick Butler enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a 22 year old, single, Farmer from Dunnstown, Victoria.

Private Patrick Butler, Service number 839, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Ascanius (A11) on 27th May, 1916 with the 10th Infantry Brigade, 39th Infantry Battalion “C” Company. He was admitted to Ship’s Hospital on 31st May, 1916 with Influenza & was discharged on 6th June, 1916. Private Butler disembarked at Devonport, England on 18th July, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

He was sent to Hospital with Pneumonia on 29th July, 1916 from Australian Command Depot & was transferred to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London, England (no date recorded).

On 22nd September, 1916 Private Butler was admitted to 10th Brigade Field Hospital, Larkhill, Wiltshire with Measles. He was transferred the same day to Brimstone Bottom Hospital, Wiltshire.  Private Butler was reported to be seriously ill with Measles at Tidworth, Wiltshire on 2nd October, 1916. He was marched out to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 23rd October, 1916 having been discharged from Military Hospital, Tidworth. (Note: The Hospital Admission form recorded he was admitted to Brimstone Bottom on 22nd September, 1916 & transferred on 6th December, 1916 to Military Hospital, Tidworth with Tubercle of Lung).

Private Patrick Butler was reported to be convalescent on 1st December, 1916. His mother was advised by Base Records on 14th December, 1916 with the following: “Referring to this office telegram to you of the 3rd inst., advising that your son, No. 839 Private P. Butler, 39th Battalion, was convalescent, cable advice has now been received stating that this report is incorrect, the message should have read – “Improving from an attack of slight broncho pneumonia.” Should any further reports come to hand you will be promptly communicated with.”

A Medical Report was completed on Private Patrick Butler on 18th December, 1916 while at Tidworth, Wiltshire. His disability was listed as Tubercle of Lung which had originated in September, 1916 at Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain, England. “On 22 September was admitted to Isolation Hospital suffering from Measles. He developed Broncho Pneumonia which did not clear up readily and an examination of sputum T.B. found present. He was transferred to T.B. wards at Military Hospital, Tidworth.” The Officer in charge of the case recommended that Private Butler be discharged as permanently unfit. The Medical Board agreed on 18th December, 1916 that Private Patrick Butler was suffering from Acute Tuberculosis of the Lungs & was permanently unfit for all military service.

He was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot from Tidworth on 29th December, 1916.

On 8th January, 1917 Private Butler was sent sick to Sidney Hall Hospital from No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, Dorset.

Private Patrick Butler died at 8.45 pm on 8th July, 1917 at Sidney Hall Military Hospital, Weymouth, Dorset, England from Tubercle of Lung.

He was buried in Melcombe Regis Cemetery, Weymouth, Dorset, England where 82 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/a---c.html