Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Richard the son of James and Emily (nee Hewitt) was born at Dewsbury on 10th August 1892 and later baptised on 2nd September 1892. His parents came from the Batley area.
1901 census shows Richard living with his family at 53 Track Road, Batley. He had a brother, Thomas Oscar and a sister, Hannah May. His father’s occupation was as a bank cashier.
By 1911 another son had arrived, Herbert Cyril. James had now been promoted to bank manager.
Richard was not at home for the 1911 census as he was boarding with the Miler family. He was listed as being a bank clerk. He was an employee with the National Provincial Bank in Barnard Castle. He eventually became bank manager.
In September 1914, while stationed at Melton Mowbray it was reported Richard had visited Barnard Castle for the weekend. During training he had observed one of the Zeppelin raids on the north east coast.
He enlisted into the Army. On 20th May 1915 he applied for appointment for a temporary commission. His promotion to 2nd Lieutenant was printed in Sheffield Daily Telegraph 12/06/1915. Later he was promoted once more to acting captain which was mentioned in the Gazette (reference 2995) 03/03/1919.
On 17th January 1917 he was at Port Said in Egypt with the Welch Fusiliers. During 1917 Richard wrote home from Baghdad describing the ‘most instructive details of the famous eastern city, and more especially of the ancient architecture and of the gold and glitter of oriental decorative splendour’.
He is recorded as assuming command of B Company on 3rd February 1917 after Capt. P.M. Dunn was killed in action. He relinquished his command on 14th February 1917 when another officer was appointed.
Whilst serving as an officer in Mesopotamia he was shot through the right knee and hospitalised in India for some time.
He served in the Mesopotamian campaign until his death after the Great War Armistice had been signed. This was the 3rd Afghan War which began on 6th May 1919 (also known as British Afghan war of 1919).
His death didn’t occur whilst he was fighting but in July 1919 Richard was on his way home for the first time since leaving Mesopotamia when he was recalled due to trouble in Afghanistan. En route he was found to be suffering from ‘sun heat’ so was taken to a field ambulance at Leo Dakka, Simla States. He died there on 1st July 1919.
Richard was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his action in relieving the situation of General Townsend.
His estate amounted to £737 2s. 0d
Richard is remembered on the National Provincial and Union Bank, City of London and on Batley War Memorial.
Richard Jefferson Butler is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
