No.24488, Private, David BUTCHER
Aged 29
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David Butcher was born in Isleham on 5th May 1887 (Newmarket Q2-1887 3B:553), eldest son of Jonathan and Mary Elizabeth BUTCHER (née OSBORNE).
1891 census...Aged 3, he was at "West Bank of River Lark", Isleham with his father Jonathan [33] a general labourer; mother Mary E. [35] sisters Rebecka [10] and Violet [6] and brother Isaac [1]. They were all born in Isleham Fen. 1901 census...Aged 13, a general labourer, he was at Fen Bank, Isleham with his parents, sisters Rebecca and Violet and brothers Isaac, Harry [9], John W [6] and Bertie [3]. The newest brothers were also born at Isleham Fen. 1911 census... Aged 23, he was at Fen Bank, Isleham still, with his parents, sister Violet and brothers Harry, John W and Bertie. All the men were farm labourers. One sibling had died. Isaac had moved to Wisbech His younger brother, Harry Butcher died in Belgium in March 1915. see here another younger brother, John William Butcher died in France in April 1918. see here another brother, the 2nd son, Isaac survived the war. Their brother in law, Herbert Harvey was killed in Flanders in 1917 see here |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. Attested 21st February 1916, he gave his age as 28 years 10 months, a farm labourer, 5' 8.5 " high, weighing 147 lbs and chest of 39"-42". He was mobilised in the Northamptonshire Regiment on 4th April 1916 and posted to the BEF in France on 6th September 1916. His mother received his effects in January 1917:- 1 Disc, 2 Corks, 1 packet letters, 1 photo, cards, 1 purse, 1 cigarette case, 1 cap badge, a pen knife, 1 tobacco pouch, 1 pipe, 1 metal watch and chain and a pocket case. War Dairy has:- "6/9/16 - Trenches - All quiet. We found 154 OR daily for fatigues but the two ..?..parade nightly under officers. At 8:30pm a party of 50 under an officer meets 2 Ly Harkfield R.E. at the junction of GORDON ALLEY and RESERVE TRENCH and at the same hour a similar party under an officer meets Lt Bailey R.E. at JUNCTION KEEP." Gordon Alley was a communications trench between brigade HQ at Contalmaison and the village of Martinpuich. David was the battalion's only fatality that day. |
photo- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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