Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Butterfield born at Winlaton, Gateshead, during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1889 was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Jane Butterfield native of Gateshead, County Durham born November 2nd 1868. In 1891 she was living with William at the home of her parents Frederick and Margaret Butterfield at Coldwell Street, Heworth, Gateshead, later that year she married Anthony Rutherford with whom she had two surviving children by 1911, Elizabeth Annie born 1892 and Margaret Winifred 1894. After her marriage Elizabeth Jane did not take William into her new home, he was left with his grandparents and can still be found living with them aged 11 in 1901 at 16, Coldwell Street, Heworth at the home of widow Mary Ann Rutter, his grandmother’s sister, whilst his mother and half-sisters were living at 10, Beech Street, Jarrow, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, her husband is not included in the census although she is still listed as married.
William’s grandfather died in 1908, his widow Margaret went to live at 27, Gosforth Street, Pelaw, with her married daughter, son-in-law and their child. William was found in 1911 in tragic circumstances, listed in the census of that year as a labourer, “found wandering without shelter” in “Coatsworth Road Gateshead’.
August 11th 1914 William Butterfield enlisted at Ashington, Northumberland, assigned as Private 4521 initially to the 8th Battalion, part of Kitchener’s First New Army. After initial training near home they moved to Belton Park, Grantham and as part of the new 11th Division they assembled at Witley and Frensham for final training April 4th 1915. He departed with his regiment as part of the 38th Brigade, 11th Division, July 10th 1915 destination Gallipoli. They set sail from Liverpool bound for Mundros landing neat Lala Baba at Sulva Bay, August 6th 1915. Private Butterfield was repatriated suffering from dysentery and admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital. Once recovered, given leave he returned to Gateshead where he married his sweetheart Elizabeth Birkett during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/ Dec) 1915.
The 8th Battalion was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Imbros and sent to Egypt in January 1916 where they took over the defence of the Suez canal. June 1916 they were recalled and departed from Alexandria, July 3rd 1916, arriving as reinforcements in France and sent to the battlefields of the Somme. Private Butterfield was transferred to the 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers participating during the Battle of Albert, July 1st-14th 1916, where they captured Contalmaison.
During the battle he was wounded and evacuated by the Field Ambulance through the lines to the 13th General Hospital and railhead at Boulogne-Sur-Mer. Private 4521 William Butterfield Northumberland Fusiliers died of his wounds July 11th 1916. Interred at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave VIII. D. 102, he was 27 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him and a pension, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to her at 70, Marian Street, Gateshead, County Durham. They did not have a child. Elizabeth may have remarried, there are three possibles in the registration area of Gateshead. William Boston in 1917, James Orange in 1925 and John G. Scott in 1928.
William’s mother Elizabeth Jane Rutherford nee Butterfield died in 1919 aged 51 years at Gateshead, his step-father in 1945 aged 77 years, registered in Northumberland.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 21/07/1916 reports:
“Letter from the Front.
We have received a letter from Pte. Wm. Butterfield, an old scholar of High Felling Council School, who is at present with the B.E.F. (somewhere in France). He says he is glad to receive the ‘Advertiser’ and is pleased to note that we have been recognizing the honour won by Lieut. W.S. Ridley, D.C.M. thanking all who took the initiative in the matter. ‘I was an old Volunteer and Territorial under his charge,’ he says, ‘and I can say he was a gentleman to his men.’
Private Butterfield enlisted in 8th Batt. N.F. on Aug. 11th, 1914, and proceeded on active service on July 1st, 1915, reaching the Dardanelles on July 9th. ‘We went into action on the night of Aug.6th at Suvla Bay the 11th Division’s glorious landing place.’ He took part in the Battle of Salt Lake, and other engagements in the Anagarta district, coming off the Peninsular in Sept. 1915, and landing back in England in October, suffering from dysentery.
After a period in the 3rd London General Hospital, having recovered his usual health, he is at present fighting for us in France.
‘When I think of the terrible loss of lives of those who fought so bravely and nobly for the cause of liberty and justice’ writes Pte. Butterfield, ‘it makes me feel bitter and hard to hear of so many conscientious objectors not doing their duty as true Britons should. We have given up our happiness, and are sacrificing our lives to make our dear country a brighter and happier place to live in, and I have got this to say about such men: If they will not come forward to help their comrades on the battlefields of Europe they should be deported away from our shores for evermore, as they are playing the game into the enemy’s hands.’
Private Butterfield wishes to be remembered to his old schoolmaster, Mr. J. Logan, and to be placed on the High Felling School Roll of Honour, to Mr. J.F. Simpson, and to all his old Felling friends.”
His death is reported in Heslop’s Local Advertiser 18/08/1916:
“Private W. Butterfield, late of Felling, died of wounds received in action on 11th July, aged 27 years. Husband of Elizabeth Butterfield, of 70 Marian Street, Gateshead.”
He is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004
