Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30338, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30338/supplements/10678. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 17/1280 Private William Boynton Butler, West Yorkshire Regiment (Hunslet, Leeds). For most conspicuous bravery, on 6th August 1917 east of Lempire, France, when in charge of a Stokes gun in trenches which were being heavily shelled. Suddenly one of the fly-off levers of a Stokes shell came off and fired the shell in the emplacement. Private Butler picked up the shell and jumped to the entrance of the emplacement, which at that moment a party of infantry were passing. He shouted to them to hurry past as the shell was going off, and turning round, placed himself between the party of men and the live shell and so held it till they were out of danger. He then threw the shell on to the parados, and took cover in the bottom of the trench. The shell exploded almost on leaving his hand, greatly damaging the trench. By extreme good luck Private Butler was contused only. Undoubtedly his great presence of mind and disregard of his own life saved the lives of the officer and men in the emplacement and the party which was passing at the time. CROIX DE GUERRE,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31409/supplements/7807. GAZETTE ISSUE 31409, CROIX DE GUERRE, Medal awarded by the President of the French Republic for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission to wear the Medal.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30338, VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30338/supplements/10678. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 17/1280 Private William Boynton Butler, West Yorkshire Regiment (Hunslet, Leeds). For most conspicuous bravery, on 6th August 1917 east of Lempire, France, when in charge of a Stokes gun in trenches which were being heavily shelled. Suddenly one of the fly-off levers of a Stokes shell came off and fired the shell in the emplacement. Private Butler picked up the shell and jumped to the entrance of the emplacement, which at that moment a party of infantry were passing. He shouted to them to hurry past as the shell was going off, and turning round, placed himself between the party of men and the live shell and so held it till they were out of danger. He then threw the shell on to the parados, and took cover in the bottom of the trench. The shell exploded almost on leaving his hand, greatly damaging the trench. By extreme good luck Private Butler was contused only. Undoubtedly his great presence of mind and disregard of his own life saved the lives of the officer and men in the emplacement and the party which was passing at the time. CROIX DE GUERRE,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31409/supplements/7807. GAZETTE ISSUE 31409, CROIX DE GUERRE, Medal awarded by the President of the French Republic for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission to wear the Medal.