No. 9203, Sergeant, James Henry BUTCHER D.C.M.
Aged 24
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James BUTCHER was born in Worlington (Mildenhall Q1-1893 4A:808) son of James and Elizabeth BUTCHER (née GILLIARD).
1901 census... Aged 8, he was at 2 The Street, Worlington, with his father James BUTCHER [34] a general agricultural labourer, born Worlington; his mother [35] born Chard, Somerset; brothers John T [6] and Abraham [5] and sister Cissie E [3] all born in Worlington. 1911 census... Aged 18 he was working on the golf course and living in Worlington with his parents, brother John Thomas, sister Cissy Elizabeth and new sisters; Gladys Evelyn [10] Caroline Beatrice [7] and Edith Mary [3], all born in Worlington. One child had died, out of nine born to the marriage. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket Citation for award of Distinguished Conduct Medal: "9203 A/Sjt. J. Butcher For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When the men in charge of a machine gun had all become casualties within twenty yards of the enemy's trench, he succeeded in bringing the gun back under heavy machine gun and rifle fire (20.10.16) " On the 28th April 1917 the 7th Suffolks were engaged in an attack on a front of about 8 miles, delivered by British and Canadian troops, making a thrust between the Scarpe and Monchy. The battalion went over the the top at 4.45 am to attack the new Blue Line, passing through the 5th Royal Berkshires who had captured Bayonet trench and 150 yards of Rifle trench. They then came under severe machine gun fire from Roeux which troops on the north side of the river had not yet taken and they suffered heavy losses. All the officers except the Colonel and Adjutant were killed or wounded and small parties returned to Black line as soon as it grew dark and at 1 am on 29th the battalion (now reduced to 190 effectives) withdrew to support lines. Over the next 2 days a handful of men returned to HQ from a position they had taken and held since the early hours of the 28th. The remnants of the battalion were then formed into two weak companies and went in reserve until the middle of May The 7th Suffolks suffered 95 killed, of which only 8 have known graves. The Bury Free Press of 21st July 1917 reported:- WORLINGTON D.C.M. KILLED We regret to have to record the death in action of the soldier son of Mr. and Mrs Jas. Butcher, of Worlington, who some time since was awarded the D.C.M. In reply to enquiries respecting Sergt. Butcher D.C.M., the Officer Commanding D Company, 7th Suffolk Regiment, writes that while participating in an attack on the enemy trenches in front of Arras he was shot through the heart. Sergt Lewis, of that Company, was beside him at the time and says that he died instantly. The C.O. goes on to say: "We are very sorry to lose Sergt.Butcher, as he was one of our most reliable N.C.O.s and sincerely sympathise with his parents, who, I hope, will find comfort in the fact that he died for the cause that so many others have sacrificed their best". |
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