Name
William Martin Butler
Circa 1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/03/1919
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
Royal Engineers
1st Siege Company, Royal Monmouthshire
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VALENCIENNES (ST. ROCH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
II. C. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
Thou Shalt Compass Me About With Songs of Deliverance
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Cambridge University, Trinity College Memorial
Pre War
In 1881 Arthur and Mary were living in Woodend House, Walton on Thames, Surrey nd Arthur’s occupation was an Examiner in Education Department, M.D. Cambridge.
William was born around 1882 in Weybridge (possibly Walton on Thames), Surrey and his parents were Professor Arthur John and Mary Caroline Butler.
He was educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge.
In 1891 the family were found living at Wood End, Church Road, Walton on Thames, Surrey. Mary (35) was present, but Arthur and William are absent. The children present were: Grace E (10), Rachel E (2) and an unnamed daughter at under 1 month. Also present were three servants, two visitors and Alice Brown (26) a sister-in-law,
Arthur (42) and William (9) appear to be lodging in a large boarding house in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire run by Mary I Callaway. Arthur was recorded as a retired civil servant.
In 1901 the family were living at Wood End, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Surrey. Present were both parents: Arthur (56) and Mary (4), with Arthur now recorded as a Professor University College W C Examining Education Dept. retired. Their children listed were: Frances M (25), Grace E (20), Margaret D (16), Rhoda (13), Rachael E (12) and Mary C (10). Two servants were also present.
William was a student in Eton, boarding at the home of Edward Vaughan a schoolmaster.
His father died in the first quarter of 1910.
William became a Civil Engineer and in 1911 he was working as an agent in the engineering trade and boarding at 15a Eccles Old Rd Pendleton Manchester with Edith Osbalderton.
He married Enid Mabel Chittenden on 8 November 1911 in Holy Trinity Church, Brompton.
Wartime Service
William was in the 1st Siege Company (Monmouthshire) of the Royal Engineers.
He died of pneumonia and is buried in Plot 2, Row C, Grave 20 in the St. Roch Communal Cemetery in Valenciennes in France.
Additional Information
His mother ordered his headstone inscription while living at Wood End, Weybridge, Surrey, it reads: “THOU SHALT COMPASS ME ABOUT WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE”.
Probate was granted to his widow on 5 March 1919, with his address given as The Dower House, Hitchin, the value of his effects was £1932 19s 4d
His widow remarried at some point after his death.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
