Private: 7837 Maitland Thomas BUTLER.

2nd BATTALION AIF

Private: 7837 Maitland Thomas BUTLER.

Born: 10th June 1897. Coen, Queensland, Australia.

Married: 1920. Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:14397/1920.

Wife: Helen Butler. nee: Henderson.

Died: 1962. Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:35287/1962.

Father: Thomas Prosper Butler. (1869-03/08/36) Died at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:15499/1936.

Mother: Rose Ann Butler. nee: Wilson. (1880-1926) Died at Redfern, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17347/1925.

INFORMATION

Maitland Thomas Butler (AKA Frank Emerson) enlisted with the AIF at West Maitland on the 11th April 197 and was discharged from the Maitland Depot Battalion on the 12th April 1917 as he was Under Age with Depot Number N76417. He re enlisted with the AIF on the 19th September 1917 as Frank Emerson at the Sydney Showground and was transferred to the Liverpool Army Camp where he was allocated to the 26th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion AIF with the service number 7837.

Charges

19th September 1917. East Maitland. (1) Giving False Name at time of making attestation. (2) Making a False Declaration reference to age. (3) Giving a False Answer to questions 11 and 12.

16th October 1917. Liverpool. Absent Without Leave from 6:30am 16/10/17 until 6:30am 17/10/17.

14th November 1917. Liverpool. Absent Without Leave from 6:30am 17/11/17 until 12 midnight 18/11/17.

3rd December 1917. Liverpool. Absent Without Leave from 6:30am 3/12/17 to 6:30am 7/12/17 (4 Days)

12th December 1917. Liverpool. Absent Without Leave from 6:30am 1/12/17 to 6:30am 12/12/17. (2 Days)

The reinforcements embarked on board HMAT A38 "Ulysses" on the 19th December 1917 and disembarked at Southampton where he was marched in the 1st Training Battalion. After a few moths in England Maitland was admitted to hospital suffering from Bronchitis on the 5th March 1918. Whist at Sutton Veny he was Charged AWL from 9:30pm 12/5/18 until reporting back at 9:00 am 14/5/18. Award 5 days Forfeit Pay by Major: D R Brown. On the 22nd June 1918 at Sutton Veny he was again Charged (1) Absent 19/6/18 from 1:30am parade. (2) Making false statement to an NCO. (3) Neglecting to obey an order by his Superior Officer. Award 11 days detention by Major: D R Brown.

After being discharged from detention Maitland proceeded overseas for France via Folkstone on the 3rd July 1918 and was taken on in strength with the 2nd Battalion on the 7th July and was Wounded in Action on the 25th August 1918 and was treated by the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance for Gas Poisoning before he was evacuated to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station and the 2nd General Hospital at Harve.

Maitland was discharged to the Convalescent Depot on the 21st September and upon his discharge re joined the 2nd Battalion on the 1st October. He reported to sick parade on the 12th December who admitted him to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from Gonorrhoea on the 21st October before being transferred to to the 39th General Hospital for VD. Upon his discharge he was invalided to England for his return to Australia.

1st October 1919 "Soldiers own Statement" Failed to return to his vessel Hospital Transport "Euripides" at expiry of shore leave 2200.

2nd October 1919. "Soldiers own Statement" AWL from his ship when she sailed for Australia at 13:18.

13th October 1919. "AIF Representative Durban" .Reported to AIF Office 11:30. Charge (1) Neglecting to obey Troopship Orders in that he was not on board Hospital Transport "Euripides" at 13:18 on 2/10/19 when she sailed for Australia. (2) AWL from 22:00 1/10/19 to 11:30 13/10/19. Award 168 hours detention and forfeit 28 days pay by Lieutenant Beveridge.

13th October 1919. "AIF Representative Durban". Escaped from Escort while being taken to Civil Gaol for safe custody. 12:00.

14th October 1919. "Civil Police" Apprehended by Civil Police at 20:00 and Charged with Gambling.

16th October 1919. "Civil Police". Fined 3 pounds or 3 weeks in Hard Labour. Committed to Civil Gaol.

25th October 1919. "AIF Representative Durban". Charge (1) When in Lawful Custody escaping in that he at Durban at 12:00 13/10/19 broke away from his escort and escaped. (2) AWL from 12:00 13/10/19 to 20:00 14/10/19. Award 168 hours detention and forfeit 28 days pay. by Lieutenant Beveridge.

11th November 1919 Embarked in Arrest on board S.S. "Chepstow Castle" for Cape Town and disembarked on the 16th November where he went to detention before boarding HMAT "Nestor" on the 20th November and disembarked in Australia on the 16th December 1919 before he was discharged from the AIF on the 15th January 1920.

Family Information

Thomas Prosper Butler married Rose Ann Wilson on the 6th August 1896 in Queensland, Australia and had four children, one boy and three girls. Maitland Thomas Butler born 1897 Coen, Queensland and died 1962 New South Wales. Maude Matilda Butler born 1899 Coen, Queensland and died 1987 New South Wales. Dorothea Butler born 1904 Hillgrove New South Wales died Kurri Kurri New South Wales. Dulcie Eileen G Prosper Butler born 12/03/1908 Sydney, New South Wales and died Armidale, New South Wales.

Thomas Prosper Butler (1869-1936) is buried at the Kurri Kurri Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia.

John Reginald William BUTLER

Born: 15th September 1910. Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:37167/1910.

Married: 1933. Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:2070/1933.

Wife: Gertrude M Butler. nee: Hawkins.

Died: 10th October 1979. Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:106764/1979

Father: Reginald George Butler. (1881-1950) Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:32320/1950.

Mother: Alma Ester Bridget Butler. nee: (1881-1946) Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:16507/1946.

INFORMATION

John Reginald William Butler was awarded the Imperial Service Medal on the 27th of January, 1970 for 25 years meritorious service with the New South Wales Health Department as a Charge Nurse.

John is buried at Cessnock Cemetery. Anglican, Section: 19, Row: 14, Lot: 165.