Ashtead War Memorials - WWI - Pte Albert Butler
8th Bn, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment

Research into the background of Albert Butler has presented problems because variations on his forename appear to have been used at different times of his life.

His parents seem to have been William [born Send ca 1863] and Lily Matilda née Bonner [born Guildford ca 1871] whose marriage was recorded at Guildford for the March Quarter 1895. “Albert’s” birth at Tolworth comes up in the records as Bertie William, registered Kingston 12/1898, and for 1901& 1911 Censuses respectively as Bertie and Bert. By the time of the latter Census, the family had arrived in the Epsom area, William Butler being shown in Ashtead street directories for 1914 & 1918 at 3 Grange Mount Cottages, Ottways Lane.

Soldiers who died in the Great War records Albert Butler, born Surbiton, resident Guildford, as having enlisted at Ashstead [sic]. Assuming that he volunteered as soon as he reached the age of 18, entry to 8th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, as Private L/11048, would have been at the end of 1916.

For 1917, this Battalion is noted as having been in reserve during February/March, at Calonne March to May, engaged in the June Battles of Messines & Zillebeke, and back to reserve over July & August. However, its War Diaries present a rather different picture for the last two of those months:
http://qrrarchive.websds.net/PDF/QW00819170708.pdf

From 30 July the men were in the trenches under constant heavy shelling and, by 1 August, when Pte A Butler lost his life, casualties sustained amongst the Other Ranks had been 32 killed, 156 wounded & 105 missing.

On the War Memorial at St George’s, Albert Butler’s name follows closely below that of Joseph Bullen: they had been near-neighbours and were, perhaps, friends in life.

The death of William Butler, aged 63, was registered at Epsom, 12/1926 but his widow, Mrs L Butler, disappears after the entry of her name as next of kin on the CWGC list.

text: Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page added 15 Mar 09