Regiment: 13/18 Royal Hussars.
Died: 18 January 1943 aged 34 in Tunisia. Killed in action.
Battle: Tunisia Campaign: November 1942 – May 1943. Cemetery: Massicault War Cemetery III. F. 10.
Son of Arnold Hugh and Lettice Edith Butler, Ramsden House, Charlbury, Oxon.
Army V. School Prefect.
Sandhurst (Riding Blue).
Husband of Nancy Butler, of Greens Norton, Northamptonshire.
13th/18th Royal Hussars
Royal Armoured Corps
The following personal tribute is taken from The Times:— The death in action of Major W. F. Butler, Royal Hussars, came as a grievous blow to his many friends both inside and outside the army. "Boy" Butler had an outstandingly beautiful character. Wherever he went he made the particular place in which he happened to be a place worth being in: as a friend summed it up, "happiness came into the room with him." He had strength of character combined with a delightful simplicity and modesty. He was determined, yet gentle, kind, generous, and unselfish, and to all this was added that splendid horsemanship which had made him, possibly, the first all-round horseman of his day. To few is accorded the skill which enabled him on the same afternoon in 1939 to jump two clear rounds on "Big Sweep" in the Prince of Wales' Cup at the International Horse Show, Olympia (thus ensuring England's victory), to be immediately followed by a polo success in the semi-final round of the Champion Cup at Hurlingham, when his team, the Ghosts, beat Adsdean. As a polo player he was one of the most accomplished No. 1s in England at that time. Yet, of all the sports, foxhunting was his favourite, and in its pursuit he showed all those characteristics of determination and quick decision which made him the ideal leader. What a privilege to have known such an upright, splendid, and enthusiastic young man.