Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for Lieutenant Colonel Beauchamp Henry Butler D.S.O.
Date Information
29/12/2020 ‘In the action at River Simeto on 5th and 6th August, Lieutenant Colonel Butler’s task was to secure the right half of the bridgehead. And much depended on the success of this operation. This officer led his battalion with great gallantry. Throughout a hard day’s fighting he was tireless in his efforts to secure success, personally directing the fire of his anti-tank guns and mortars at centres of resistance. Launching attacks and never giving a desperate and determined enemy any loophole. Colonel Butler was under continuous and accurate short range machine-gun, rifle and mortar fire for many hours, but his complete disregard of danger and his inspiring example to his battalion ensured the success of the operation.’
29/12/2020 This intimation has been received by his widow at Daisy Hill, Clogher, where she and her two young sons live with her father, Major W Stewart, M.C. By the same mail Mrs Butler also got a letter from her husband written a few days later before his death, stating that he was well. Her father only heard the news after his return from London, where he had gone to see his son, Flight Sergeant Stewart, Royal Air Force, receive the Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.) from the King. The citation of the D.S.O. cites:-
29/12/2020 Tragic Coincidence
29/12/2020 Major (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel) Beauchamp Henry Butler, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, of Clogher, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.).
29/12/2020
29/12/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 27th November 1943: Tyrone Officer’s Gallantry – But Killed in Action
29/12/2020 The citation also stated he also rendered distinguished service in the attack on Centuripe on 2-3 August and in the crossing of the river Salso on 4-5 August.
12/01/2020 The 1901 census lists the Butler family at house 6 in Rathvilly Village, Rathvilly, County Carlow. Charles Butler was a Land Agent and Income Tax Collector, which implies they were a family of some wealth.
12/01/2020 Family: Beauchamp Henry Butler, Vera May Butler, Michael Henry Butler (born 30 Aug 1939).
12/01/2020 Beauchamp Henry Butler married Vera May Stewart, daughter of Major William Stewart, on 8th June 1938. They had on child.
12/01/2020 Charles Butler held the office of High Sheriff of County Carlow in 1920.
12/01/2020 Family: Charles Richard Butler, Ethel Elizabeth Jane Butler, Humphrey James Butler (born 30th June 1897). Blanche Adelaide Butler (born about 1899), Edward Walter Charles Butler (born 30th May 1900), Beauchamp Henry Butler (born 7th January 1902).
12/01/2020 Lt.-Col. Beauchamp Henry Butler fought in the Second World War. He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
12/01/2020 Beauchamp Henry Butler was born on 7th January 1902. He was the youngest of four surviving children. All the children were born in County Carlow.
12/01/2020 Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.).
12/01/2020 The 1911 census lists Beauchamp as age 9, living with his parents at house 1 in Raheenkyle, Rathanna, Couty Carlow.
12/01/2020 By October 1943 he was with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, attached to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
12/01/2020 On 27th October Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was Commanding Officer of his battalion, whose task was to secure the right half of the river Simeto bridgehead, and much depended on this operation’s success.
12/01/2020 Beauchamp Henry Butler was the youngest son of Charles Richard and Ethel Elizabeth Jane Butler. Charles Richard Butler and Ethel Elizabeth Jane Newton in 1895.
12/01/2020 Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, attached to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 27th October 1943 at Sangro on the east coast of Italy, parallel to Rome.
12/01/2020 The award was announced in The Gazette dated 16th November 1943, so it seems it was award posthumously. It is not known if the award was for the action in which Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was killed.
12/01/2020 Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp Henry Butler is buried in Sangro River War Cemetery in Italy.
12/01/2020 The CWGC record Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp Henry Butler as the son of Charles R and Ethel E J Butler. He is also listed as the husband of Vera May Butler of Clogher, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
12/01/2020 Beauchamp’s brother, James Humphrey Butler fought in the First World War, where he was wounded twice. He later gained the rank of Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. He fought in the Second World War.
12/01/2020 According the battalion War Diary of the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, the battalion got pinned down. Just after 11pm Lieutenant-Colonel Butler held a meeting close to the front line. Around 11.30pm Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was shot and killed by a stray machine gun bullet, which struck him in the head. The operation did not succeed, but the position was letter taken.
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