John Butler
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Butler was the son of James and Hannah Butler (nee Flint). His father James was born in 1855 in Belper, Derbyshire, the son of James Butler, a collier. His mother Hannah, the daughter of William Flint, was born in 1856 also in Belper. They were married in the parish church of Duffield, Derbyshire, on 30 August 1875. James and Hannah and both their witnesses signed the marriage certificate with their marks. James and Hannah had thirteen children of whom only nine survived infancy and childhood. Nine children were named on the census between 1881 and 1911, the eight eldest were born in Derbyshire: Mary b. abt. 1877, Walter b. 1878 bap. 1879 Belper St Peter; Martha b. 1881 bap. 1884 Belper Christ Church; John b. 1882 bap. 1884 Christ Church; Elizabeth b. 1884 bap. 1885 St Peter; James b. 1891 bap. 1892 St Peter; Lucy b. 1893, Amos b. 12 November 1895 and Albert b. Kirkby 1899. In 1881 James, a collier, and Hannah were living at Openwoodgate, Denby, Derbyshire, with their three children Mary, Walter and Martha. They were still living in Derbyshire ten years later in 1891 and now had six children: Mary who was in work, Walter a coal miner, Martha, John, Elizabeth and James. Also in the household was the widowed Martha Butler (70) who was described as the grandmother but was probably the mother of James senior; she probably died later that year. The three youngest children - Lucy, Amos and Albert - were born between 1893 and 1899, the youngest, Albert, in Kirkby. The family was registered in East Kirkby at the time of the 1901 Census although only Elizabeth who was in work, James, Lucy, Amos and Albertwere in the home with their parents on the night of the census. By 1911 James and Hannah were living at 36 Ellis Street, East Kirkby; only their two youngest sons, Amos a pit bank boy and Albert, were still at home. John had married Elizabeth Carr in 1909; they had three children, John W, Eric and Mary Butler. In 1911 the family was living at 50 Pond Street, East Kirkby.
1st Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) John Butler was a time expired regular soldier in 1914. He attested on 17 August 1914 and was posted to the Depot in Derby. On 11 December 1914 he entered theatre (France) and joined the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). A draft of 112 all ranks arrived on 14th when the battalion was based in Estaires. On 7 January 1915, John was sent to 8th General Hospital at Rouen with ''Def' teeth' and admitted for treatment, followed on the 10th by admission to Convalescent Camp 'Class B'. On 25 August 1915 he arrived at 8 Infantry base depot, Boulogne, and was then transferred to Cinder City as 'P.B.' John was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital on 24 September 1915 suffering from aortic valvular disease and transferred the same day to the Hospital Ship St David for treatment in the UK. However, he died at sea on 24 September and was buried in his home town, East Kirkby in Kingswood Old Cemetery (grave A.A.O. 2257). John's younger brother, Pte. Albert Butler Royal Army Medical Corps, died on 30th November 1918 and was buried in the same grave.
Two of John's brothers, Amos and Albert, also died in the Great War. Amos served with the Royal Navy as a stoker and died in HMS Black Prince when the ship was sunk on 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland. Albert served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and died on 30th November 1918; he is buried beside his brother John in the Old Kingsway Cemetery, Kirkby in Ashfield. (See records on this Roll of Honour) Report published 1st October 1915 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “SOLDIER'S FUNERAL. – A military funeral took place at East Kirkby on Wednesday, [29th September 1915] when Pte. John Butler, of the Sherwood Foresters, was afforded full military honours. He died on the sea on his way from a French hospital, and the authorities agreed to the request of the relatives that the body should be brought to Kirkby. The procession was headed by the Kirkby Colliery and Kirkby Old Prize bands, members of the local detachment of the British Red Cross also taking part. A firing party was provided by the K.O.Y.L.I. from Clipstone Camp, and the coffin, covered with a Union Jack was also borne by soldiers from the same place. A service was held in St. Thomas's Church, conducted by the Rev. E. C. Hodges, who also read the Commitment service at the graveside.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Mansfield Reporter, 11 August 1916: ‘Kirkby in Ashfield. Memorial Service. A most impressive memorial service in memory of the East Kirkby men who have given their lives in the war was held in St Thomas’s Church on Sunday afternoon … Seats were reserved in Church for the relatives of the men whose memory was being honoured and several beautiful wreaths were displayed. A special form of service was used and the lesson was read by the Rev TR Aaty (Primitive Methodist minister). The Vicar gave an address which admirably blended homage to the dead heroes, consolation to the relatives and exhortation to those left at home ... at the close a collection was taken p for a memorial window in the church. The following is a list of fallen ... John Butler, Amos Butler.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 11 August 1916 (extract): ‘Memorial Service. The beautiful cross and wreaths in the East Kirkby Parish Church for the memorial service were from the Mothers’ Union, Sunday school teachers and children, Vicar and church people, and Mrs Coupe and family. The big cross was afterwards placed on Private John Butler’s grave (a son of a member of the Mothers’ Union).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. John's personal effects sent to Mrs Elizabeth Butler 6 Pond Street East Kirkby Nottinghamshire and comprised 1 disc, 1 belt, 1 shoulder title, 2 Canadian titles, 3 buttons, 1 photo, 1 letter, 1 tin (containing cigarettes). On 29 September 1915 Lichfield paymaster received 12 pennies, the property of John; presumably these were forwarded to Elizabeth. Elizabeth received a pension of 10 shillings and 6 pence for herself and two children with effect from 27 March 1916.)
