Early years

Alfred Butler was born in Welland in 1892. His father was a labourer for Malvern Urban District Council and long with his brothers and sisters, he was educated in Malvern Wells National School.  In 1911 the Butler family were living at Brook Cottage, Upper Welland.  Alfred was a fishmonger, working on his own account and his brother Charles was a jobbing gardener.

First World War

Alfred joined the army at Warwick, a Kitchener Army recruit and joined the 9th Royal Warwickshire Regiment. This unit was part of the ‘Lucky’ 13th Division which served at Gallipoli, in Egypt and later in Mesopotamia. Most men who served with the Division, facing heat, flies, sickness as well as enemy fire, would not have described the theatres of war in which they served as ‘lucky’ despite wearing a horseshoe as their divisional sign.

Alfred did not serve at Gallipoli, but went overseas after the 1st January 1916.  He contracted illness in Mesopotamia and was evacuated to India for treatment.  Sadly he died at Kirkee on 20th October 1916.

Malvern News
1911 Census