Rupert Percy Butler

A Private with the 9th Battalion, Rupert died on 3rd of July 1916 at the age of 22. 

Rupert was born at Ely in 1893, a son of Harry and Hannah (Annie) Mary Lord Butler. His father, a G.E.R. railway inspector, died in 1894. By 1901 Rupert’s mother, and older brother, Frederick, were living at 101 Stanley Street, and Rupert was living at the Alexandra Orphanage, Hornsey Rise, Islington, London. 

In 1911 Rupert lived with his uncle Horace Wright at 53 Rutland Road, Ilford, and Rupert worked as a clerk at a warehouse.

Rupert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Warley, Essex. He joined the Essex Regiment, service number 12033. He was posted to the 9th Battalion and arrived in France, with the battalion, on 30 May 1915. He served with A Company.

Rupert received a gunshot wound to his scalp and was admitted to 2 General Hospital on 19 October 1915. The next he day we discharged to a Convalescence Camp. 

On 3 July 1916 the 9th Battalion moved into forward positions in readiness for an attack on Ovillers. A heavy bombardment preceded the attack, and zero hour was 3.07 a.m. Heavy machine-gun fire form Ovillers held up the attack and the battalion’s advance was held up by a strong-point on a terrace overlooking the German front line. The attack came to a stand still about 4.30 p.m.

The battalion’s casualties were 12 officers and 386 other ranks. 

Rupert was killed in action during the attack. He was buried at map reference 57.d.x.7.d. and, in 1920, his body was recovered and reburied at Ovillers Military Cemetery.

Rupert’s brother Frederick served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and died in 1917.