South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

WW1_Logo.jpeg

The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Corporal 265323 Arthur William Cusack BUTLER - 1st/7th Battalion, Royal WarwickshireRegiment

Killed in action on Monday 8th October 1917 aged 20


Military History

     
Theatre of War WW1 Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Tyne Cot Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Other WW1 Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 Jan 1916  Territorial Force War Medal Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington Spa St. Mary's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Mobilised  
Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) 5 Aug 1914 in Warwick with Territorials   
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Irish Farm, Ypres  Original Service Number 2083  
     
  • Arthur joined the 7th Battalion Territorials at the end of 1913 and was mobilised at the beginning of the war

Circumstances of Death

Arthur is listed as being killed in action on 8th October 1917 having initially being reported as missing. The 1st/7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 5th to 11th October are transcribed below.

NE of Ypres – 5 Oct 1917: Rain fell during the day and the weather became very cold. No enemy attack took place but his shelling was very severe at times. Sniping was active on both sides. The enemy firing continually from Beek House. At night a dry change of socks was got up together with rations.

NE of Ypres – 6.10.1917: Rain still continued which together with the cold made conditions very difficult and trying. Enemy posts were located near Oxford House and Beek House, between Beek House and the Cemetery and a machine gun post in the cemetery. Burns House was reported to be strongly held. Very little enemy movement took place.

NE of Ypres – 7.10.1917: Rain fell again most of the day. Enemy shelling was heavy growing into a barrage towards evening. No infantry action followed.

A taped track was marked out from Mon du Hibou to Tweed House. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 1/1 Bucks Regt and moved into bivouacs near Irish Farm. Everyone being in by 4pm.

Irish Farm – 8.10.1917: Weather fine, battalion moved by motor lorry to Siege Camp.

Poperinghe – 9.10.1917: Battalion marched to Poperinghe and in billets in Rue du Bruges, Rue de la Balance and Rue d’Ypres.

Poperinghe – 10.10.1917: Baths were taken and companies paraded for CO’s inspection.

Poperinghe – 11.10.1917: Company parades and kit inspections, reorganisations carried on with. Weather cold but fine.

Casualties during operations [3rd to 11th Oct?]:
Killed: Officers 2 & Other Ranks 23
Wounded: 3 Officers & 140 Other Ranks
Missing: Other Ranks 14.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1896 in Emscote, Warwick 17 Dec 1896 at All Saints, Emscote
   
Parents Names Abode
Walter and Susan Ann Butler 154 Leam Terrace, Leamington Spa
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1897 - 123, Emscote Road, Warwick 1902 - School age
1901 - 123, Emscote Road, Warwick 1911 - Errand Boy 
1911 - 154 Leam Terrace, Leamington Spa 1914 - Employed by H.J. Dawson, Undertakers
1914 - 154 Leam Terrace, Leamington Spa