WW1
Butterworth, Emmanuel R
Emmanuel Robertson Butterworth was born at Hobart, Tasmania in 1895. He was working as farm labourer when he enlisted in the AIF on 13 October 1916. After initial training he was assigned to 12 Battalion as a Private with the service number 6960, and embarked with the 23rd Reinforcements aboard HMAT Persic (A34) at Melbourne on 22 December 1916. He arrived in England in March 1917, and after further training was admitted to hospital with illness, eventually joining his battalion in the lines in France in July 1917. He was again admitted to hospital in September, returning to his unit the following month. By this time 12 Battalion were on operations in Belgium, and Butterworth was present at some of the battles which became known as the Third Battle of Ypres. On 14 March 1918, the Germans mounted a raid on 12 Battalion's front line posts. This attack was successfully repelled, but Butterworth was one of four Australians who were killed. He is buried at Spoilbank Cemetery in Belgium. His mother, Mrs Emma Butterworth, received this commemorative plaque in 1922. Mrs E Butterworth of 2 Pettit Street Sandhill has received from Chaplain Captain H A Hayden particulars concerning the death of her son, Private E R Butterworth of the 12th Battalion. The Commanding Officer, he wrote, wished him to express their deepest and most heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a gallant son. Private Butterworth, who was killed in action on the night of March 13th acquitted himself nobly as a soldier and was highly thought of in his platoon and company. He gave his life in an engagement which earned great praise for his battalion. The Germans attempted to raid the Australian trenches. They came over in large numbers after preparing the way with a heavy barrage of shell fire. Our splendid men stood firmly and not only repulsed the attack but actually succeeded in taking a number of enemy prisoners. It was a splendid piece of work and earned the praise of high military officials. Pte Butterworth was one of the men who paid the supreme sacrifice for this gallant action. The mother’s loss was great but it was a proud sorrow. The son died nobly. Captain Chaplain Hayden buried Pte Butterworth in the military cemetery. His grave was marked with a neat cross and was well kept by the Graves Registration Unit. The Weekly Courier 6th June 1918
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