Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: 5th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment
Date of Birth: 11.05.1897
Place of Birth: Bexhill on Sea, Sussex
Date of Death: 1988
Place of Death: Bexhill on Sea, Sussex
Address: 2 Cumberland Road, Sidley, Bexhill-on-Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Harry Butchers (1868-1954) and Ann Butchers (1873-1943).
Siblings: Nellie Butchers (1900-1977); Mable Butchers (1907-1911); Annie Butchers (1906-).
In 1920 Harry married Lilian Annie Elphick (1895-1966) and they had two children – Ella J. Butchers (1921-2012) and Sylvia J. Butchers (1925-).
First World War Experience
The researcher has not been able to completely confirm any of Harry’s Service details – even his Medal Rolls, which are usually the easiest to find. Therefore, the only certain information we have is from the local newspapers and these confirm that Harry enlisted before 28th November 1914 – around 17 years of age. He was taken ill with measles in May 1915 and spent some time in hospital in Boulogne from where he wrote to his parents saying (part of the letter):-
“One does see some sights when the wounded come in ……… I heard today that our Captain has been killed – Captain Grant, our old Captain. I hope he has not, because all us chaps go anywhere with him.”
The newspaper went on to confirm that, indeed, Captain Grant, commanding ‘B’ Company, was reported wounded and missing.
The last item in the press was details of a Welcome Home Dinner at Sidley Church Institute where the caterer was a Mr. F. C. Buxton of the Sussex Hotel. The dinner comprised:- roast ribs of beef, roast legs of mutton, boiled beef, new carrots, veal and ham pie, new potatoes and spring cabbage, sweets, fruit jellies, blancmange and prunes, gooseberry tart, trifle, and Sussex tart.