Thursday 9 July 2015

Butler, Thomas - Private (23454)

Private Thomas Butler
Royal Army Medical Corps,
Killed in Action,
12th September 1917,
Age 32,
Buried Gwalia Cemetery

Newspaper Report:


DIED IN PRIEST'S ARMS - HOW A HASLINGDEN CATHOLIC FELL AT THE FRONT

Private Thomas Butler, R.A.M.C., a well known Haslingden Catholic, died in the arms of a Catholic priest at the front on August 12th, 1917.
He had just come out of his tent to speak to another soldier who was passing by several yards away, when he was struck by a shell.  It was a bad case, and the priest was sent for. In a very few minutes he succumbed to his injuries.
Private Butler was 32 years of age, and his wife and child live at Bridge Street, Haslingden. He enlisted two and a half years ago, and had been a tackler at Britannia Mill.  His father was a tackler for 24 years.
The deceased was a member of the R.A.O.B., a member of the Overlookers Society, and was connected with Haslingden Catholic Church.

Haslingden Memorials:

In loving memory of Private Thomas Butler, who was killed in Action September 12th 1917, aged 32 years.

"Fresh in our hearts thy memory clings,
Yet still our grief is sore,
Each passing year but nearer brings,
The day we meet once more.

Friends may think we forget you,
When oft they see us smile,
But little do they know the sorrow,
That smile hides all the while."

"Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten."

From his loving Wife and Child, 1 Bridge Street, Haslingden.

"We cannot forget him, nor do we intend,
We think of him daily, and will to the end;
We mourn for our brother in sorrow unseen,
He is with us in memories of days that have been."

From his loving Sisters and Brothers

"A loving husband, true and kind,
A beautiful memory left behind."

From his wife and child, Middleton.

"Some day we hope to meet him,
Some day we know not when
To clasp his hand in the Better Land,
Never to part again."

From his sorrowing Sons and Daughters

Private Thomas Butler census details - Click over to enlarge