Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Horace Butcher

Charlie was a Berri lad, born in 27th August 1913; one of four children with an older brother, Rick and two sisters, Gladys and Esmey Charity. He was particularly close to Gladys (Crocker) who always stated that "Charlie will never die as long as I’m alive” – probably a fervent prayer during the war years but which became her mantra.

Looking back over Charlie’s life, the little Grade 1 Berri Student who gained a first prize at the Berri Show for his writing, appeared insignificant in terms of his later heroism as a 20-year-old. A neighbouring shed constructed of straw, brush and saplings caught alight late in the morning. Horrifically a three-year-old child, Frederick Charity was caught in the blaze when probably playing with matches which ignited the straw stored in the shed. Charlie was working in the adjoining block, then without thought for his own safety, raced through the flames of the partly collapsed shed, brushing aside flaming material to gather up the screaming boy from the back of the shed, then wrapped him in an old coat to extinguish his burning clothing. Despite being taken to hospital the extensive burns to little Frederick’s entire body caused his death just three hours later without him gaining consciousness. Charlie sustained badly burnt arms in the process.

While still teenagers, Charlie married 17-year-old Eileen May McGregor (‘Peg’) in 1931. By strange coincidence, Eileen and ‘Beryl’ (Clarence Violet Leslie), who became Tom Derrick’s (‘Diver’) wife, were close friends. The two men both enlisted in July 1940. At that time, Charlie and Eileen had two of their three children, Raymon Charles, born in 1934 and Ronda Joan born in 1937.

Strongly built, Charlie played as a ruckman for Berri in the local football competition, being lauded for his strong rucking, marking and goal scoring. All characteristics which inspired his fellow players and contributing to him winning the R. Reynolds trophy for his performances. ‘Diver’ Derrick was his rugged rover, scouting on the fringes of the pack. Charlie also played on the hallowed turf of the Adelaide Football Oval as a curtain raiser to an interstate match in July of 1939. He represented the Upper Murray (coached by ex-Port Adelaide star, Harold Oliver) against the River Murray Association. Disappointingly, lack of communication meant that the gates to the oval were closed until just 15 minutes before the commencement of the match reducing the changing and warmup time. Conditions on the oval were quite dissimilar to the Riverland which was inevitably fast and dry. The Adelaide Oval provided very heavy conditions of the playing ground, the sprigs of the players' boots being too short for those conditions, and the greasy bail, proved difficult to handle with any confidence.  However, Charlie did show his usual club form, especially in the first half with his strong rucking.

The war intervened, cutting short a promising football career. Charlie enlisted in Adelaide in July 1940, just after his 27th birthday, with a large block of Berri footballers, becoming SX9562 and a member of the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He listed his occupation as a fruit packer. Being a typical River man, he soon teamed up with others from the region and a story drifted back via ‘Diver’ Derrick in the local Murray Pioneer, February 1941. He and Charlie organised a donkey race meeting for their Battalion in the Middle East. There were twelve starters in what was called The Major Bull Cup. The winner ‘Fire’ was trained by Renmark’s Pte Andy Kelly and ridden by another Riverlander, Pte Harry Dwyer who started from the extreme outside position and was desperately ridden to last “long enough to hold off the strong challenge from Aurie's Star and win rather cleverly by a length and a half.” Reportedly, “the stable cleaned up quite a decent sum of Mils (Palestine currency) and with Dwyer "kicking home" another two winners later in the afternoon, naturally led to much rejoicing midst a number of beers.” With the judge also being a Riverlander and ‘Diver’ the bookie he commented that “I cannot say how the flat punters received his decisions, but I myself could have been greatly relieved with a little error on his part.” Charlie acted as ‘Diver’s’ clerk. The photos published showed very dodgy odds for punters with ‘Diver’ commenting that “On calling 2 to 1 I was knocked from my stand and immediately cut the price to even.”

Other Berri footballers, via their local newspaper, The Murray Pioneer, reported on the well-being of their fellow players. Pte Bill Westley who was wounded but then suffered from eye trouble caused by the desert glare, returned to Berri in 1942, commenting about Charlie being again back in hospital, then by 28th August of that year, Charlie had been discharged. A further third child, son Robert, was born in 1944.

While Charlie did not return to playing football, he was in charge of ringing the end of quarter ‘cow bell’. Legend has it that his competitive edge and loyalty to Berri, caused him to pick up the bell and ring it while Berri had a winning score and claimed the flag that year! He was particularly proud of his youngest son, Robert (‘Butch’) who inherited Charlie’s looks, size, and love of football having a long career with Renmark, South Adelaide, Christies Beach and St Mary’s (Darwin).

Butch’s earliest memory as a five-year-old of his Dad was that he managed a fruit block at Berri North for a local, Mac McDonald.  Mac was a full-on bookie for all types of racing. Butch recalls giving Charlie ‘some lip’ and being chased but escaping by climbing a big tree.  Fortunately for Butch, Charlie forgot about the incident when he went to the pub that day. Charlie never minced his words. At one stage Butch asked for a racing bike to use on the racing track at the Berri oval. Charlie replied with, “listen son, if you want to be a bike rider, you need to be strong in the legs, and mad in the f…n head!"

During peace time, although he never admitted it, the effects of war continued to be with Charlie. His love of gambling continued, something his son did not inherit. His marriage did not last, with Eileen separating and moving with the three children down to St Marys when Butch was twelve in 1956.

While he never complained of war wounds, Charlie continually coughed and coughed particularly at night. Throughout his service, he was plagued by bronchitis, Asthma and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections as well as sandfly fever. A combination of these probably contributed to his early death at 48 years old of lung cancer. His memories of those with whom he served and especially those who were killed or maimed, including Diver Derrick were constant. One of the memories Butch has of his Dad, was, asking him if he was going to march on Anzac Day.  Charlie replied with; “listen son, all the heroes are dead”.

Charlie later became an egg inspector in Ceduna before returning to the Riverland as a fruit inspector in Mildura. His daughter Ronda also returned to the Riverland, with Butch also boarding with her in his teenage years, so it meant the two were able to enjoy time with Charlie before his early death on the 13th July 1962 in Renmark, aged 48. He is buried in the Berri Cemetery.

Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th with personal contributions by Robert (‘Butch’) Charlie’s son.