Albert Butler
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Butler was born in 1899 in Kirkby and was the youngest son of James and Hannah Butler (née 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. 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 Albert were 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.
Royal Army Medical Corps Private Albert Butler enlisted on 7th September 1914. He was 15 years old and so had given false information about his age. He was posted to the Royal Army Medical Corps and landed in the Balkans on 7th August 1915. On 17 August, 10 days after arriving at Sulva Bay, he suffered a gun shot wound to the chest. He was transfered to England for treatment where his true age was discovered. Albert was discharged on 17th November 1915 at Aldershot under Kings Regulations 392 (making a misstatement as to age), his age at then being 16 yrs and 91 days. His discharge address was 36 Ellis Street, East Kirkby. Albert died on 30th November 1918 and was buried in Kingsway Old Cemetery, Kirkby in Ashfield with his brother John who had died in 1915.
Albert's brother Amos, 1st Class Stoker Royal Navy, served in HMS Black Prince and died when the ship was sunk at the battle of Jutland on 31st May 1918. Amos had previously served in the Royal Field Artillery (28 August 1914-16 February 1915). (See record on this Roll of Honour) Albert shares his grave in Kingsway Old Cemetery, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, with his brother, Pte. John Butler, 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment), who died onboard Hospital Ship St. David on 24th September 1915. (See record on this Roll of Honour) 'Misstating his age, Albert enlisted just after his 15th birthday. On active service in Gallipoli, he received two gunshot wounds, one bullet passing straight through the right side of his chest, the second being surgically removed after he complained of ‘breathlessness and chest pain a few days later’ He was 16 years old. It was then his true age was discovered & he was discharged.' (Information courtesy of Julie Roberts) 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
