BUTLER, John Elkington
| Service Number: | VX7496 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 November 1939, 2/5 Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Korumburra, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia , 13 April 1904 |
| Home Town: | Korumburra South, South Gippsland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Korumburra State High School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Libya, 24 February 1941, aged 36 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Alamein Memorial, Egypt Col 90 |
| Memorials: | Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Korumburra War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, VX7496 | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, VX7496, 2/5 Australian Infantry Battalion | |
| 23 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX7496 | |
| 14 Apr 1940: | Embarked Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, VX7496, 2/5 Australian Infantry Battalion ex Melbourne per HA62 for Kantara |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Jack was the eldest of eight children of William Elkington Butler (born 1864 in Cogh, Victoria) and Ellen Annie White (born 1887 in Melton, Victoria). The family was raised at 'The Meadows' in Korumburra in Gippsland, Victoria on the family farm.
Jack attended State primary and secondary school in Korumburra and was a member of the local football team. He started work as a factory Hand in Korumburra, worked briefly in South Australia for the Forestry Department, and was employed at the Korumburra Butter Factory.
Jack enlisted in 1939 in the Australian Army as a Private (Service No: VX7496), and embarked with 2.5 Australian Infantry Battalion for Kantara in April 1940. Jack saw action at Bardia, Tobruk and Benghazi. He was a member of the 5th Battalion D Coy Football Team that palyed on 7 December 1940 in Egypt - his nickname was 'Battlin' Butch'.
Jack was killed in action on 24 February 1941. Jack's three brothers - Ray (Service No: VX119929), Norman (Service No: V389080)nand Frank (Service No: V389435) - and sister Marjorie (Service No: WR724) also served in WWII
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