Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to Sally Rice (nee Butters), great-niece of George for the additional family information.
George Albert Butters was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Mitcham, Surrey to police inspector Robert and Annie Isabella (nee Clarke), and was baptised on 3rd June 1888 at St Peter and St Paul’s church in Mitcham. At the time of his baptism the family lived at Railway Cottages and Robert was working as a police inspector.
George’s father Robert was born on 17th March 1844 in Fordham, Cambridgeshire to agricultural labourer John, and his wife Mary, both born about 1807 in Fordham. George’s mother Annie Isabella Clarke was born in the 1st quarter of 1849 in Lincoln, Lincolnshire to hairdresser Jesse Clarke, born about 1821 in Maidwell, Northampton and Betsey Clarke, born about 1823 in Lincoln. Robert Butters joined the Metropolitan Police in October 1865. (1920 Surrey Mirror)
Robert and Annie married on 30th July of 1870 at Holy Trinity church in Islington. At the time of their marriage the couple lived in Islington and Robert was working as a police constable.
Photo courtesy of Sally Rice
George Albert Butters had seven known siblings: Emma Rhodes born in the 2nd quarter of 1871; Robert William born in the 2nd quarter of 1873 and John Everson born in the 1st quarter of 1876 all in Islington. Frank Henry born in the 2nd quarter of 1879 and Winifred Annie born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Kentish Town. Walter Frederick born in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in Croydon, Surrey and Charles Herbert born in the 1st quarter of 1886 in Mitcham, Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 1 Romeo Villas, Mitcham. Robert was still working as a Metropolitan Police Inspector and Annie was at home. The household further comprised of their children: barmaid Emma; clerk Robert; clerk John; Frank; Winifred; Walter; Charles and George.
In December 1891 Robert Butters retired with the rank of Inspector in Mitcham. (1920 Surrey Mirror)
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved along the street to 6 Romeo Villas. Retired Robert and Annie were at home. The household further comprised of their sons: insurance agent John and George and grandsons: William and Vincent.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 16 Ravensbury Grove, Mitcham. The household further comprised of a boarder, butcher, Arthur Spicer. The accommodation had five rooms. Annie stated that she had given birth to ten children of whom, seven were still alive.
George Butters enlisted in Kingston on Thames into the 20th Hussars. He was a Private with regimental number 5261. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Mitcham.
He disembarked on the 16th of August 1914 in France.
CONSTABLE KILLED IN ACTION
Corpl. George Albert Butters, Hussars, has been killed in action. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Butters, of Oakdene Road, Brockham, and was for 12 months in the West Sussex Constabulary. In a letter from Sec.-Lieut. Colin K. Davy it is stated that Butters and three comrades were sitting in a small shelter when a shell exploded within four yards and killed them all. Mr. Butter is a retired inspector of the Metropolitan Police, and has three other sons in the Army.
George Butters Death Notice © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
George Albert Butters died in an action on the 30th of May 1917 in France.
DEATH OF CORPL. GEORGE ALBERT BUTTERS
Mr. and Mrs. Butters of Oakdene Road, Brockham, have been advised from the Cavalry Record Office at York that their youngest son, Corpl. George Albert Butters, the Hussars, was killed in action on May 30th. Corpl. Butters after several years service in the Army, was for 13 months in the West Sussex Constabulary Forces, and was called up immediately on the outbreak of the war; he was one of the first to proceed to France, and thus had given nearly three years of active service at the front. Mr. and Mrs. Butters have received letters of sympathy from the Superintendent of Police at Petworth, from many other police officers, and from numerous friends. 2nd Lieut Colin K. Davey, the Hussars, to whom the deceased was attached, writes of him in the warmest terms; he stated that and three comrades were sitting in a small shelter, when at 2a.m. on May 31st, a shell exploded within four yards and killed them all; they were buried with full military honours in a small village cemetery about a mile behind the firing line, and they graves literally covered with flowers. Mr. Butters who is a retired Inspector of the Metropolitan Police, Mitcham District, has three other sons in the Army, one Corpl Frank Henry Butters in the M. T. Services and two Lce-Corpl Charles Herbert Butters and Sergt. Walter Frederick Butters, both of whom came over with the New Zealand Contingents, the latter is now a Drill Instructor on Salisbury Plain, and the former who had previously been wounded when his whole detatchment was nearly annihilated, is now on the sick list on Salisbury Plain. A fifth son, John Evison Butters, was called up for examination on Monday last.
George Butters Death Notice © Surrey Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
George’s body was exhumed and reburied at the Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile, France. His grave reference number is: II.F.19. He was identified by the G.R.U. Cross.
George, after several years’ service in the Army, was for 12 months in the West Sussex Constabulary Force, and was called up immediately on the outbreak of war; he was one of the first to proceed to France, and thus had seen nearly 3 years of active service at the front. (1917 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser)
George received the British War and Victory Medals and the 1914 Star.
The following article was copied from an old newspaper clipping from the possessions of C.H. Butters, N.Z.. lt is probably from a regional newspaper of the district of Mitcham in Surrey, England, and estimated to be dated approx. June/July 1917. It was sent to Dorking Museum by Sally Rice, great-niece of George.
CORPORAL BUTTERS KILLED
SON OF EX-MITCHAM POLICE INSPECTOR
News has just reached Mr. John Butters, of Romeo Villas, London Road, Lower Mitcham, that his brother, Corporal George Albert Butters of the 20th Hussars, youngest son of ex-Police lnspector Butters, was killed in action on May 30th. The Corporal, who was 29, was a Reservist at the outbreak of the war. He was in the retreat from Mons, the battles of the Marne, Aisne, Ypres, and later at the Battle of Arras. Writing to his brother ten days before his death Corpl. Butters said: “As I hinted in my last letter, we drifted into a warm climate. lt was not only warm- it was (unreadable) hot in one sense and awfully cold in another. Our ride (cavalry charge) came off in a blinding snowstorm on Easter Monday——- | shall always believe that storm saved our bacon. Fritz had the shock of his life. He got out of his trenches and ran for all he was worth, while we were held up by wire. Then we got it —– lt was not altogether a joy ride.”
STUCK BY SHELL
Writing to Mr. John Butters on June 18th, Second Lieut. C. Davy said:
“lt is only due to a misunderstanding between myself and the officer, who was in command of the squadron at the time, that you did not receive a letter describing the death before this. I deeply regret the mistake. I have not seen that officer since the beginning of the month, so am unable to say whether he has written to you or not.
Your brother had been in my troop since September last. I was very fond of him indeed, and valued him very highly as a soldier and never wish to have a more loyal or trustworthy man. He was constantly with me during the fortnight when I was in the trenches with my troop, and I had many long talks with him and got to know him quite well. He was also out on patrol with me two nights before he met his death, and I was greatly impressed by his coolness and courage in what was a very trying situation.
At about 2 a.m. on the 31st. May, a big shell (about eight inches) burst right in the centre of a fire bay of my troop trench. Your brother was sitting in a small shelter about four yards from where the shell landed, and was killed instantly, together with three others who were standing close by, He was hit through the left breast pocket by a small fragment and I think his back was broken by a falling plank.
He was not in any way disfigured and could have suffered no pain at all. He was very popular both in the squadron and regiment, and his loss was greatly felt by everybody, for he had a great number of friends. I am very grieved at his loss for apart from my admiration for him as a brave soldier, I numbered him among my friends. He was buried with full military honours in a village cemetery about a mile behind the line, together with the other men in my troop who were killed that night. As soon as we came out into supper many of his friends went to decorate the grave, and made it look very nice with flowers and stones. lt stands out amongst the others in quite the prettiest spot. You and your parents have my very deepest sympathy and I hope you will not hesitate to write and ask if there is any detail you wish to know that I have omitted to mention.”
lnspector Butters, who now lives in Cambridgeshire, has three other sons in the Army, two of whom are in the New Zealand Forces. The New Zealanders took part in the Gallipoli campaign. One was invalided home, the other transferred to France, where he was wounded during the summer advance.
George’s father Robert received £7, 2s and 9d on 20th July 1917 and a further £16 on 21st October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
In 1917 George’s family lived in Oakdene Road in Brockham.
On retirement from the Police Service Robert Butters received, from the inhabitants of Mitcham, a magnificent clock and a purse of sovereigns. In 1920 Mr and Mrs Butters celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. (1920 Surrey Mirror).
In 1920 George’s brother, Robert Butters, was a manager in Dorking for Messrs. Tickner & Co.
| Born | Mitcham, Surrey | |
| Lived | Mitcham, Surrey | |
| Son of | Robert Butters and Annie Isabella (nee Clarke) of Oakdene Road in Brockham | |
| Regiment | 20th Hussars | |
| Number | 5261 | |
| Date of Death | 30th May 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 29 | |
| Memorial | Unicorn Cemetery, Vend’Huile, Aisne, France |
