BUTLER, William Charles
| Service Number: | 2581 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 February 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Machine Gun Battalion |
| Born: | Cooks Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 23 November 1896 |
| Home Town: | Greta, Cessnock, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Seized with a fit, fell across a fire, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 31 May 1942, aged 45 years |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW |
| Memorials: |
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell
Another Digger of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.
80 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 1st June 1942, Private William Charles Butler, 2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion (Reg No-2581), miner and labourer from East Greta, New South Wales and Medowie, N.S.W., father of two (Irene P & Athol E), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 46. GENERAL-28. 28.
Born at Cooks Hill, New South Wales on the 23rd November 1895 (as Charles William) to William Charles and Athole Taylor Bartley Butler (Sexton); husband of Fernande or Ferlande Philomine Butler nee Jouglet or Joulet (married 9.7.1919 at the Registry Office, Eltham, London, United Kingdom, died?), William enlisted February 1916 with the 30th Battalion at Liverpool, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 24.7.1916 (not stated), 18.2.1917 (bronchitis), 12.4.1917 (dental), 22.4.1918 (gangrene on knee), 16.10.1918 (old GSW left thigh).
Wounded in action - 16.9.1917 (GSW left leg & left arm, severe).
Embarked for England 21.9.1917.
William returned home November 1919 with wife Fernande, being discharged on the 10th January 1920.
Nothing located on Trove regarding enlistment, sickness, wounds, returning home, etc.
Mr. Butler’s name has not been inscribed on the Greta & Branxton Municipal Roll of Honor or the East Greta St. Thomas' Church of England Memorial Gates or the Greta Soldiers' Obelisk or any known War Memorial or Roll of Honour.
The tragic circumstances of William’s death were reported on his death certificate – burns accidently received when he was seized with a fit and fell across a fire.
I located William resting in an unmarked grave, forgotten, so February 2016 I placed a cross at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
I submitted an application to DVA January 2019 (with fingers crossed!) asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but of course this was declined February 2019.
William’s Honour and Dignity will be restored with a Plaque courtesy of the Forgotten Diggers Headstone Project.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
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