2023 092-365 Dedication of a new Commonwealth War Grave
When I was at Storrington Museum, I noticed that a new CWGC headstone was going to be dedicated. I made sure I was there, and checked that it was all right for me to photograph the occasion. I have now sent a good number of images to the Museum for use as they wish.
From the Museum display:
David Butcher signed up for 12 years service in the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday in 1908.
He was invalided out in 1911 for a disease of the eyes.
When WW1 broke out, he was one of the first in the village to sign up with the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914, but discharged from the training camp 6 weeks later "suffering from what appeared to be a sarcoma of the ulna" (from his service records).
In January 1915 he attested for the Army Veterinary Corps as a horse keeper and embarked for France the same month. He transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in November 1917, and was posted as a driver.
In May 1918 he was invalided back to the UK, and discharged from military service in October 1918 with disabilities attributable to "service during the present war". He died a year later at the age of 29, leaving a wife and two children.
Treasure Hunt 43: Monument
2023 092-365 Dedication of a new Commonwealth War Grave
When I was at Storrington Museum, I noticed that a new CWGC headstone was going to be dedicated. I made sure I was there, and checked that it was all right for me to photograph the occasion. I have now sent a good number of images to the Museum for use as they wish.
From the Museum display:
David Butcher signed up for 12 years service in the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday in 1908.
He was invalided out in 1911 for a disease of the eyes.
When WW1 broke out, he was one of the first in the village to sign up with the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914, but discharged from the training camp 6 weeks later "suffering from what appeared to be a sarcoma of the ulna" (from his service records).
In January 1915 he attested for the Army Veterinary Corps as a horse keeper and embarked for France the same month. He transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in November 1917, and was posted as a driver.
In May 1918 he was invalided back to the UK, and discharged from military service in October 1918 with disabilities attributable to "service during the present war". He died a year later at the age of 29, leaving a wife and two children.
Treasure Hunt 43: Monument