William Boynton Butler

William Boynton Butler (VC, Croix de Guerre (France)) (20 November 1894-25 March 1972) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 22 years old, and a private in the 17th Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own), British Army, attached to 106th TM. Battery during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 6 August 1917 east of Lempire, France, Private Butler was in charge of a Stokes gun in trenches which were being heavily shelled. Suddenly one of the fly-off levers of a Stokes shell came off and fired the shell in the emplacement. Private Butler picked up the shell and shouted a warning to a party of infantry. He then turned and put himself between the party of men and the live shell, holding it until they were out of danger, when he threw it on to the parades and took cover. The shell exploded, damaging the trench, but only confusing Private Butler.

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/yorkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(West Yorkshire)"