This postcard was sent home by
William Henry Butcher, to his parents John William and Selina Bertha (nee
Morley) at 46 Bridge Street Doncaster .
The front of the card shows King
George V 'at the Front' and being 'at the grave of a fallen hero'. The card is
one of an official series released by the Government showing various scenes at
which to inspire the people at home to continue the support of the War; to help
raise recruitment; to keep the morale of the troops in France and elsewhere
high - as well as depicting that the head of state was also as much concerned
about the efforts of those men in uniform.
On the reverse William (Billy)
wrote the following:
'Dear F & M, Just received a
writing pad from Goole. Will keep sending you a p p c instead of Field Service
card. Hoping to get full set. B'
The card was passed by the censor
(stamp No. 5015), and stamped by the Field Post Office on 9th July
1917.
Billy' service record has either
been lost, as a result of WW2 bombing, or is still held by the MoD on account
of his service after the First World War but some details can be given from
those records that are accessible.
Billy was born on 15th
April 1894 and in 1901 the family are living at 7 Gordon Street, Doncaster , with his father John William working for
Doncaster Corporation as a waterman. Ten years later the family are still at
the same address, with John now employed as a Tap Inspector at the Borough
Council Water Works; Billy, now aged 16, being employed as a 'fettler' within an iron
foundry at an electrical engineering firm. At this time John was aged 42 with
his wife Selina being 40, the rest of the family being George (13); Annie (10);
Ernest (6); Harold (3) and Ethel (1).
When he enlists on 29th May 1915
in the Royal Field Artillery Billy was given the 'Territorial Force' number
786602, being assigned to 2/3 West Riding Brigade Royal Field Artillery. At
some point he is transferred, being given the number 291143 - all this time his
rank being 'Driver' (one of two men in charge of the horses, both when teamed
up with gun and limber, and when the gun is in 'action').
On 11th March 1919 he
is discharged from the Army, but on the following day at Catterick he re-enlists,
again in the RFA, now aged 24 years and 10 months. His former trade is given as
'skilled labourer', with his father' address given as 46 Bridge Street Doncaster .
His number now being 1046730.
At some time after the above date
Billy is posted to Mesopotamia, and as a result of his 'good work' he is
'Mentioned in Despatches' - his name being printed in the London Gazette
(Supplement 32452 pg.7179 dated 9th September 1921); his rank at
this time is stated as 'Signaller'.
Extract from Form W5398 detailing the service of
William Henry Butcher
On 31st March 1922
Billy is stationed at No. 3 Depot RFA, Hilsea, when he is discharged on account
of the 'Termination of Service' under King's Regulations Para 392 (xxi). Now
holding the rank of Bombardier, his conduct is noted as 'exemplary'. He gives
his address upon discharge as 10 Flanderwell Villas, Bramley, Nr Rotherham.
As a result of his service in
France Billy is awarded the British War and Victory Medals, both bearing the
rank of Driver and No. 291143. He is also awarded the General Service Medal,
with the clasp denoting 'Iraq
Billy married Alice Sturman in
the late summer or early autumn of 1930. He died in 1974.
On the postcard sent to his
parents, Billy states that he received a writing-pad from Goole. It was
probably from his Mother’s sister, his Aunt Agnes. Agnes Mary Morley was
married to a boiler-maker named Arthur Atkinson. They were married in Doncaster in 1895 and shortly afterwards moved to Goole. They had a daughter Edith who was born in 1897. In 1901
Arthur and Agnes are residing at 8 Kingston 8 Wellington Street Doncaster .
[My thanks to Pauline Stainton
for her assistance on this - Chris]
