Bernard Griffin Butler

He was the son of William Butler and the brother of Ernest Edward Butler. In 1901 they boarded at 5 Stansfield Terrace Nottingham. He was the husband of Bertha (née James) Butler (married 28/1/1911) and the father of Louis William Butler. In 1911 they lived with Bertha's parents at 66 Salisbury Street Radford Nottingham. Bertha received Bernard's effects - 1 Pocket book, 1 disc, Letters and photos. She also received a 10 shilling per week pension. She married Arthur Eley in 1916.

1911 - Threader Lace Trade 1912 - Factory hand Lace

66 Salisbury Street Radford Nottingham

Bernard Griffin Butler enlisted as a special reservist on 9 December 1912 at the age of 23 years and 6 months. He was 5 feet 3 inches in height. He was sent to the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) for training. He was mobilised on 5 August 1914 and after training was sent to the 1st battalion in France, entering theatre on 4 January 1915. The battalion notes show a draft of 65 officers and men arriving on 3rd, and 80 on 11th. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 13 April. The Battle of Aubers took place on 9 May and the battalion were part of the attack on Rouges Blancs. They arrived at the assembly trenches just after midnight. The 25th brigade attacked first but suffered very heavy losses and therefore the 24th brigade of which the 1st battalion was a part went in at 5.55. The 2nd East Lancashire's lead, supported by two companies of the 1st battalion. The lack of British artillery soon told, when it was found that the enemy parapets were undamaged and their trenches were held in force. Eight machine guns faced the British troops and they held up the advance. The Foresters changed direction but found the new enemy line even stronger but despite this 'B' company got to within 40 yards of the German wire, only to find it uncut. A decision was made by the General Officer commanding to stop the advance. At 7.35 am another attempt was made using the other two companies from the battalion, supported by the first two. These again in support of the East Lancashire's. Shelling and machine gun fire once again stopped the advance and many men lay in the open unable to move forward. Early in the afternoon the companies were ordered back to the breastworks. At 7.30pm, the German artillery opened up and caused many casualties and also virtually wrecked the breastworks which the majority of what was left of the battalion were situated. Bernard was one of 86 men killed of which 78, like him have no known grave and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial Belgium. John Morse

Ploegsteert - Plugstreet to troops is in Belgium as the Fraench did not want to many memorials on their soil. Men commemorated here are from the battles in Northern France.