Our Great Grandfather x 8 Generations, one John Butler born c 1600, died and was buried in Lenham, Kent in 1662. He was thought to be the local Parish Clerk
John Butler married his first wife, Ann Maynard on 3rd November 1636 in Lenham, Kent. (John of Harrietsham & Ann of Lenham by Licence) They had 4 children, John who was born in 1636 and baptized on 30.11.1636 in Lenham. Their second child Ann was born during 1638 and baptized on 25.11.1638 in Lenham, and buried on 14.12.1638 in Lenham. Jane, their third child was born in 1639 and baptized on the 8.3.1639 in Lenham. And their fourth and last child Robert was born in 1642 and baptized on 22.1.1642 in Lenham. He died before he was 3 years old and was buried on the 11.8.1644 in Lenham Kent.
Nine years later John’s wife Ann dies and is buried on 17th April 1645 in Lenham, Kent. In 1646 John Butler marries his second wife, Mary Boorman (they are both of Lenham Kent). As far as we can tell John and Mary had 6 children, all boys. Henry Butler was born in 1646 and baptized on the 20th June 1646 in Lenham, Kent. James Butler was baptized in1648 in Lenham and was buried in1669 in Lenham, Kent. Daniel Butler was baptized in1651 in Lenham and was buried in 1652 in Lenham, Kent. Peter Butler was born in1654 in Lenham and buried in 1711 in Stalisfield, Kent. Timothie Butler was born in 1656 in Lenham Kent. John Butler was baptized in1662 in Lenham, and was buried in 1663 in Lenham, Kent.
Overall it seems that John Butler fathered 10 children with 2 wives!!
Our Great Grandfather x 7 Generations, one Henry Butler born in 1646, was baptized 20 June 1646 & died and was buried in Wychling, Kent in 1695.
Henry Butler, a householder married, Mary Dane in 1674, she died and was buried in Wychling in 1685. Henry and Mary had 4 children between them, Elizabeth born & baptized in 1675 in Wychling, and was buried on 3.11.1678 in Wychling, Kent. John Butler was born in 1676 and was baptized on 10.12.1676 in Wychling, and was buried on 24.10.1678 Wychling, Kent. Jeane Butler was born in 1678 and was baptized on 14.4.1678, she was buried on17.10.1678 Wychling, Kent, and finally Henry Butler their last child who was born in 1679.
Henry married his second wife Mary Taylor, in Wychling in 1685. Mary Taylor remarried on the 8.8.1699 in Wormshill to George Jenkins (a widower who was previously married), after her first husband Henry Butler died in 1695.
I am presuming Henry and Mary no children?
Our Great Grandfather x 6 Generations, one Henry Butler born 1679, and died and was buried in Wychling, Kent in 1760.
Henry Butler was born in 1679 and married one Anne Terry in 1713; it would appear that they had at least 5 Children. Elizabeth Butler who was baptized on the 8.8.1714 Wychling. John Butler was born and baptized in 1716 in the parish of Wychling, Kent. Henry Butler was born in 1718 and baptized in Lenham on 28.12.1718; he died in 1719 and was buried in Wychling on the 25.7.1719. Ann Butler was born in 1720 and baptized on the 1.1.1720 in Wychling, she was 7 years old when she died and was buried on the 5.7.1727 in Wychling. Judith Butler was born in 1722 and baptized on 26.7.1722 in Lenham. She died 4 days later and was buried on the 30.7.1722 in Wychling.
By 1738 Henry’s first wife had died and he married one Catherine Chapman in Wychling in 1738. Henry’s occupation is given as being a yeoman on the marriage licence. The mortality rate of Henry’s wives seems to be quite high (or was the mortality rate for women high at this time?) In 1741 his second wife Catherine had died and he now married for the Third time to Elizabeth Down in 1741!
Our Great Grandfather x 5 Generations, one John Butler born 1716, and died and was buried in Charing, Kent in 1778.
John Butler was born and baptised in the Parish of Wychling Kent in 1716. He married one Sarah Taylor in Lenham, Kent in 1741. Sarah Butler as she became, was to outlive her Butler husband (a rarity in the recent Butler line!) she died and was buried in Charing in 1798 outliving her husband by 20 years!
John and Sarah had two sons Henry Butler, born 13.02.1748 in Charing and John Butler, born in 1754 in the Parish of Charing. They also had 2 daughters, Sarah born Aug 1742 Charing, and Elizabeth born 16.9.1744 in Charing Kent.
Our Great Grandfather x 4 Generations, one John Butler born 1754, and died and was buried in Charing, Kent in 1826.
John Butler married Sarah Morgan in 1779 in the Parish of Charing; she was 20 years of age when she married John Butler. Sarah came from and was born in Challock, Kent. As far as I can make out John and Sarah had 7 children, their first child was born in the year of their marriage, William Hunt Butler born on 16.7.1779 in Charing. He married Suzanna Overy on 6.12.1801 in Boughton Malherbe. He died in 1849 while he was in the Hollingbourne Union (Workhouse) and was buried on the 23.2.1849 in Boughton Malherbe. Mary Ann Butler was born on 8.10.1786 in Charing, and was buried on the 1.8.1790 in Lenham, Kent aged 5 years. Ann Butler was born in 1790 and was baptized on the 12.2.1790 in Charing, Kent. She died on the 4.8.1860 in Ledsham, Yorkshire.Thomas Butler was born on 10.2.1793 in Charing and baptized on 20.2.1793 in Charing Kent. He died in1835 in Philadelphia, PA, USA; he was a carpenter by trade.
James Butler baptized 10.7.1796 Lenham, died in 1797 and was buried on 20.11.1797 in Lenham, Kent. Edward Hunt Butler was born on 9.12.1799 in Lenham, and was baptized in December 1799 in Lenham, Kent, and died on the 19th May 1868 in Chatham, Kent. Their son James Butler (our Great Great Great Grandfather) was born and baptised in Lenham, Kent in 1799.
John Butler their father died in the Poorhouse and was buried in Charing, Kent in 1826, his wife Sarah pre-deceased him and died and was buried in 1813 in Lenham, Kent.
Our Great, Great, Great, Grandfather, James Butler, born 1799 – died 1883, his life, times and family.
Our Great, Great, Great, Grandfather, James Butler was born in Kent, probably in 1799. He was baptized at Lenham in Kent on the 19th September 1802. He married Sarah Ann Caryer who was born in 1804 in Milstead Kent. They married on the 20th May 1823 at St Dunstan’s Canterbury, James signed his name with a cross, Sarah signed her name in writing.
Between the years of 1824 and 1840 They had 10 children, their 5th child, our Great Great Grandfather was born in 1827, William Butler was also known as ‘Williamson’, he was baptized on 29th March 1829 at Stalisfield Kent.
However, before Williamson Butler was born, his parents and their growing family experienced more than their share of hardship. Two years after they were married, and two children later in 1825 – James Butler and his wife Sarah were removed from Frinsted, where they were living, to Charing. A Removal order was served on them under “The Poor Law”
The Poor Law was the way that the poor were helped in the early 1800s. The law said that each parish had to look after its own poor. If you were unable to work then you were given some money to help you survive. However, the cost of the Poor Law was increasing every year. By 1830 it cost about £7 million and criticism of the law was mounting. The money was raised by taxes on middle and upper-class people, causing resentment. They complained that money went to people who were lazy and did not want to work. Why the “Removal Order” took them to Charing I do not know, possibly they had a chance or offer of accommodation and work in Charing.
A few years later, “The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act” was passed by Parliament. It was designed to reduce the cost of looking after the poor as it stopped money going to poor people except in exceptional circumstances. Now if people wanted help they had to go into a workhouse to get it. The poor were given clothes and food in the workhouse in exchange for several hours of manual labour each day.
1826 The Milstead parish entry for the baptism of Mary Ann, it says that James was a labourer from Sittingbourne. 1827 – 1835 the family lived at Stalisfield, a small and isolated village. 1836 – To about 1838 the family were living at Charing. 1839 The Butler family are living at Calehill, Charing. James was at this time an Agricultural labourer. Just before April 1840 James, his wife Sarah and their young family fell on hard times yet again and had to enter the West Ashford Union Workhouse at Westwell.
Within a year James and his family had managed to leave the Workhouse. However, and probably for good reasons not now known to us, they were now a divided family living in Sittingbourne and Lenham. 1841- This census was held on the 7th June. James Butler and two of his sons, Thomas aged 13 yrs and William (Williamson) aged 12 years, were at this time lodging in Water Lane Road, Sittingbourne, at the home of Thomas Millen, Publican (Water Lane was later renamed St. Paul’s Street, when the new church was built). James’s wife Sarah was living at Harrietsham Road, Lenham in June 1841 with their other sons John 11, Edward 10, Alfred 6, Henry 3 and Charles 2.
We do not have a photograph of our Gt, Gt, Grandfather Williamson Butler, but we do have a photograph of one of his brothers, Henry Butler, born 1838 & his wife Amy, featured above. This photo was taken of Henry and his wife, later in their life.
1845 – By now all the family were living together in Sittingbourne Kent. There was an agricultural slump at this time and many villagers were attracted by the higher wages being paid in the brickfields. 1851 All the family were living in the East End of Sittingbourne, except for William, John and Edward. 1861 James and Sarah (both their ages being given as 53 yrs) were living in Murston, at the east end of Sittingbourne, and only George, Edward and Sarah were living with them.1871 James and Sarah were living in Murston Row, with just their son George at home. James’s age is given as 68 years, occupation labourer, and Sarah’s age as 66 years. Their Granddaughter Ellen Butler, aged 12 yrs, was also with them, the daughter of John (their son) and his wife Ellen.
1875 James and Sarah living in Church Road, Murston, James a brickfield labourer. 1875 Williamson (our Great Grandfather) is the informant on his mother’s death certificate; his address was then 24 Dover Street Sittingbourne. She died on 2n
September 1875 in Murston from chronic bronchitis and collapse from a scald. She was buried in the old Murston Churchyard on 5th September1875. 1881 – James, now aged 82 years and a widower, was living with his granddaughter Ellen and her husband Alfred Mills in 6 Rose Cottages, Murston. 1883 – James died from general decay on the 23rd October 1883 at 24 Dover Street, Sittingbourne, the home of his son John. He was aged 84 years, a brickfield labourer, and buried in Murston old Churchyard on the 27th October 1883.
Old Murston Church was in a bad state of repair and fumes from the nearby gasworks made it difficult for the congregation to breathe. A fund was instituted to build the new church further up the road. In 1873 the old Church was pulled down except for the central chancel which continued to be used as the mortuary. Some of the material from the old Church was incorporated into the new one. The last service was held in the old Church in July1873, and the first service in the new Church in July 1874. Burials continued in the Old Churchyard until November 1921, when burials commenced in the churchyard of the new Church.
Muriel Barry (nee Butler) in the 1930s biked to Murston to try to find Butler tombstones, but the Churchyard was too overgrown.
Old Murston Church after the Scouts had cleared the undergrowth in the 1980s.
Our Great, Great, Grandfather William Butler also known as Williamson, born 1827 – died 1904. His life and family
Our Great Great Grandfather William Butler, a Brickmaker, was also known as Williamson. He was born in1827 and baptised on the 29 March 1829 at Stalisfield Kent. 1851, William with his brother Edward were sharing their own hut on the Sittingbourne brickfields. William’s Christian name is given as ‘William’ on his baptism entry at Stalisfield, but on the 1851 census and later documents his first name is given as ‘Williamson’. William (Williamson), Butler Married Hannah Rose on 4th January 1852 at the Latimer Chapel (Non- Conformist Independent & later the Congregational Church) The Butts, Milton Regis, Kent. Witnessed by John Butler and Ellen Mills.
Hannah Rose was born in Milton and baptised on the 15th March 1830 in the Wesleyan Chapel, Sittingbourne. By 1851 Hannah’s family were also living in the Brickfields. Ten years later in 1861 William and his family were living in Murston Road, Murston, Sittingbourne. These houses had been built by George Smeed for his brickfield workers. In 1871 they were living at 13 William Street, Sittingbourne. Williamson’s occupation given as a brick manufacturer.1875 – Williamson is the informant on his mother’s death certificate, who died 2nd September 1875, and his address was then 24 Dover Street, Sittingbourne.
1879 – At about this time the Butler family moved to Canewden in Essex, Williamson obtaining employment in the brickfield on Bridgemarsh Island, about eight miles from Maldon, Essex. He kept ducks by the seawall.
William Butler, (Bill) the son of Williamson Butler had enlisted in the army, but was bought out at Canterbury in November 1880 by his friends, and went to live with his parents in Canewden, Essex.
On the afternoon of 6th December 1880, Charles Butler an Uncle of the deceased (from Sittingbourne) went to a cottage belonging to a Mrs Moore with two lads, John Wilkinson and Rogers. Mrs Moore who lived near the sea wall on the island had been complaining that someone was trying to frighten her. Charles and the two lads searched the area around the property but could find nothing there. Charles advised Mrs Moore to load her shotgun and the two lads stayed with her. Charles Butler then left.
Later that evening between 10 and 11 pm William (Bill) was with his cousin Robert Butler, were out checking the ducks that his father kept by the sea wall to see if they were ok. The two young lads, John Wilkinson and Rogers were with Mrs Moore in her cottage nearby because someone had been scaring her and they came outside to see who was moving about. They called out, but William did not answer because he wanted to frighten the boys. William got hold of Rogers round the neck and John Wilkinson fired the gun he was holding. William was fatally shot in the stomach and died the following day. It would appear that Charles and Williamson fell out over this situation. Charles Butler, Williamson’s brother also worked in the Brickfield as a Brick setter.
William was taken to the home of Mrs Moore and Police Sergeant Ruteledge who attended, immediately sent for the surgeon to attend to William, but he did not arrive until the following morning and all the doctor could do was to give William a pain killer. On Monday evening 7th December 1880, William died in Latchington, Essex. On his death certificate, it says he was ‘feloniously’ killed and slain by John Wilkinson with a gun. The certificate was received from William Codd, Coroner for Essex. The inquest was held on the 9th December 1880 in the Schoolroom on Bridgemarsh Island.
Copied from Death Certificate
When & where died – 7th December 1880 Latchington – Name & Surname – William Butler – Male aged 23 years. Occupation Labourer. – Cause of Death – Feloniously killed and slain by John Wilkinson with a gun. – Certificate received from Mr Codd Coroner for Essex. Inquest held 9th December 1880. – Registered 11th December 1880. Registrar William Baldwin.
William (Bill) Butler born 1857 – died 7th December 1880, buried 13th December 1880 Murston, Sittingbourne, Kent.
John Wilkinson was tried for the manslaughter of William in January 1881 and the jury returned a verdict of ‘Not Guilty’ and he was discharged after the Judge warned him about being careful in the future when firing where he knew people are about.
1881- The Butler family are now living at Scoldhurst, Canewdon, Essex. Williamson is now a Brickfield Manager. They also had James Allen, aged 25 yrs, born in Poplar, Essex, with them that census night. Williamson and Hannah had 6 children, the eldest, our Great Grandfather James was born 18th November 1853. He had 5 siblings, William (Bill), b 1857, d 1880, Edward b 1859, Noah b 1860, Jane b 1862, Rose b 1870 and Frank b 1876.
When Bridgemarsh Island Brickfield folded, the island was left practically deserted and was flooded in 1927. 1891 Now living at 45 Ranelagh Road, Willesden, Middlesex, occupation night watchman. They still had their son Frank, aged15 years with them, and their Grandson Charles J.A. Butler aged 10 years born Canewden, Essex. 1901 They are now living at 54 Gordon Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent with their daughter Rosa Batty and family
Patricia Payne (nee Patsy Butler) has a very vague childhood memory of her Grandfather, Edgar Norman Butler, telling her that he never knew his Grandfather Butler (Williamson) as a lot of the family went ‘over the water’, but that the family visited Sittingbourne for some family occasion and Edgar remembers he had a loud booming voice – a rough diamond – and he tried to ‘grab’ at Edgar which frightened him and he hid up. Edgar said that the family didn’t want to stay where they were when his son William (Bill) was shot dead, and were too ashamed to return to Sittingbourne because the incident was reported in the Sittingbourne newspaper. In a letter written by Edgar’s sister Beatrice, dated 16 October 1988, she mentions one of her father’s brothers coming to visit her parents from Canada in about 1901-1906.
Hannah Rose, Williamson’s wife died on the 28th July1901 at 54 Gordon Road, Strood of Cirrhosis of the liver. Our Great, Great, Grandfather William Butler, brickmaker, also known as Williamson, died 14 May 1904 at 32 Cecil Avenue, Strood, Kent, of Mitral heart disease. Informant on both death certificates was Jane Wood their daughter.
This page is probably one of the first pages from the Butler Family Bible & has our Gt Grandfather James & his wife Lucy’s names, birth dates and Marriage hand written onto this page. I have several more loose pages from the Butler family Bible that will feature further down in this post, but I do not know what happened to the remainder/bulk of the family Bible.
Our Great Grandfather James Butler born 1853 – died 1939. His life, times work and family.
Our Great Grandfather James Butler was born on the 18th November 1853. In 1871 he was living with his parents at 13 William Street Sittingbourne, his occupation at this time was Brick maker. His younger brother William Butler, born 1857, was shot dead accidentally when he was aged 23 in Bridgemarsh Island Essex 1880. James Butler was married on 7 March 1874 at Holy Trinity Parish Church Sittingbourne by the Rev A. Hanham to Lucy Wall on her 19th birthday; Lucy Wall was born on the 7th of March, 1855 in Shoebury Essex. James and Lucy spent the first three to four years of their married life in Sittingbourne before they moved to Dartford, presumably for James work in the Brickfields. By 1878 they were living in Brickfield Cottage Stone Nr Dartford Kent, James being employed as a foreman in the brickfields. They had 14 children as far as we know.
In 1886 they were now living in Milton Regis, James is a foreman in the Grovehurst brickfields. 1891 the family lived at 7 Brickhouse, Great Grovehurst Farm, Grovehurst and James was now the Brickfield Manager of Grovehurst Brickworks. The family kept cows, pigs, and chicks. They grew all their own vegetables and had three horses and traps.
Lucy Butler (b 1855) and children probably taken in the 1880s
In 1886 they were now living in Milton Regis, James is a foreman in the Grovehurst brickfields.
1891 the family lived at 7 Brickhouse, Great Grovehurst Farm, Grovehurst and James was now the Brickfield Manager of Grovehurst Brickworks. The family kept cows, pigs, and chicks. They grew all their own vegetables and had three horses and traps.
This picture below is of my Great Grandparents and their family & was taken about 1897.
Back row L to R standing – Herbert Butler, Rose Butler (sitting), Edward Butler, Percy Butler, Great Grandfather James Butler, Great Grandmother Lucy Wall (sitting) John Butler, Walter Butler (sitting)
Front row sitting – Our Grandfather Edgar Butler, Beatrice Butler, Dorothy Butler (standing), Henry Butler (sitting)
Beatrice Butler who is sitting next to our Grandfather Edgar in the picture above, became an Anglican Nun . The picture below recently came to light from one of my siblings and features Auntie Beatie in her Nuns robes. My mother is holding me, and this photo features Snooker our pet cat, also my 4 elder siblings, and I am the baby! Probably! taken in 1958 in the back garden of 181 Ufton Lane.
I digress, back to the 1880s/1890s !
1899 James suffered a severe injury to his leg which left him permanently lame and by April of this year James and Lucy were living in Hill House Grovehurst.
Wedding Picture of the Marriage of Walter James Butler, our Great Uncle. Walter is Edgar Butler’s brother, 1899.
Walter James Butler was born on the 26th March1876 in Sittingbourne, Kent. He died on the 27th August1936. Walter was a Bricklayer and joiner, and did a year’s course at Swanley Horticultural College. A Member of Milton Congregational Church where he sang in the choir. He had a splendid tenor voice and later sang in the choir of St Michaels Parish Church Sittingbourne. 1899 He temporarily took his father’s place as manager of Grovehurst brickfields, his father having a broken leg. 1901 Living at 5 Aberman Terrace which is off of London Road Milton Regis near to the Coniston Hotel, Sittingbourne, Kent. Walters’s occupation being given as a shipwright.
1902-1916 Manager of Rochford Brick Company, West brothers Essex which closed because of WW1. Then quarry manager for J Arnold & Son, Sand Merchants at Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Freemason at St Barnabas Masonic Lodge. He was married on the 26th April1899, to Bessie Harriet Gransden who was born in 1873 and died in 1955. 1901 The family were living at 6 Grovehurst, Milton Regis and James was still the manager of the Brickfields. 1911 living at Hazelwood Finsbury, Rochester, Kent, and James is now the manager of a local brickfield. Walters Death?
Above is another page from the Butler Family Bible listing the names & births of our Gt Uncles & Aunts and our Grandfather Edgar Butler.
Our Great Grandfather James Butler with his wife Lucy & probably one of his sons & Grandchild, probably taken during WW1. (Photo above)
Lucy Wall died on the 27 March 1917 in Strood from cerebral haemorrhage and softening of the brain. Witnesses Frances Butler and William Wall. Her death certificate gave their place of residence as Hazelwood, Frindsbury Hill, Frindsbury Extra, Strood. James died on 23rd December 1939 in Hospital at Magpie Hill Road Chatham. His Death certificate states that his home address was given as 12 Banks Road Frindsbury Rochester, Kent.
A brief record of our Great Uncles, and Great Aunts lives now follows.
Rose Elizabeth Butler, born 10th January 1875 Sittingbourne, died Saturday the 10th February 1945 at Milton Regis of cardiac disease and bronchitis, unmarried. There was something not quite right about Rose, and she continued to live with her father and other sister Beatrice, both doing the household chores. When Beatie went into a convent, Rose was put into Milton Geriatric hospital.
Sidney Frank Butler, born 27th July1877 – died Friday 26th April 1878.
John Alvey Butler, born 10 November 1878 in Stone, Dartford, Kent, he died on Tuesday 13th May1947. He was a bit of a ‘down and out’ and an alcoholic. He used to visit his brother Edgar Norman Butler to borrow money. In 1901 he was living with his parents at Grovehurst, his occupation at this time was carpenter. Ten years later and at the age of 33 in 1911 he was still living with his parents in Frindsbury. His occupation had changed to brickfield labourer. He joined the R.A.M.C during WW1 and was discharged from the Army. From his brief Army records it seems he may have suffered from PTSD or Shell Shock?
Maud Lucy Butler, born 15 January1880, died on Thursday the 19th February 1880.
Above is the marriage page from the Butler Family Bible. This page has a rare photo of Edward George Butlers wife Elizabeth Wall his Cousin!
Edward George A Butler was born on the 17th December1881 in Dartford Kent. Edward was more or less adopted by his mother’s sister Kitty (nee Wall) Turner and her husband Jack because they were’ well to do’. They were in the music publishing business. Edward (known as Ted) was married on the 17th June 1905 in Islington Middlesex to Elizabeth Wall his cousin. She was born in 1887 at Greenhythe Dartford. She was adopted by her father’s sister Lizzie and her husband William Jennings, lead singer and proprietor of the Mohawk Minstrels, whose stage name was Harry Hunter. In 1911 Edward and Elizabeth were living at 425 Holloway Road Islington Essex, at this time Edward was a music publisher. Their first child, a daughter, Norah Butler was born in 1908. Their son Max Alan Lionel Butler was born in 1910. They had a domestic servant living with them, Elizabeth Emily Philpott (single) born 1891 aged 20. Edward was a manager in the music trade in 1914.
He and his family were living in Woodford Essex, when he enlisted at Grove Park Essex in the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, probably in late 1914. He attained the rank of Lance Corporal. He saw active service in WW1 on the Western Front; his regiment was involved in some of the major battles in WW1. Edward died on Saturday the 7th September 1918, in the Arras area in France. He died from wounds received in battle. He was found entangled in barbed wire after a gas attack.
There was a morbid tune/verse that soldiers, in their
hardened way used to say during World War 1.
“If you want the old battalion, We know where they are, They’re hangin on the Old Barbed Wire”
Never a truer word said about Edward George Butler of the 2nd
K.R.R.C.
We visited Ligny-St Flochel, the CWGC where Edward is buried in 2015, paid our respects and laid a Poppy Cross on his grave, & took the photos above. It is a village about 6.5 km east of St Pol off the main road to Arras approximately 24 km from Arras.
The image above is a copy of the last page that I possess from the Butler family Bible.
Herbert Lewis Butler was born on the 6th August 1882 at Stone, Dartford, Kent. He was in the building trade to begin with. In 1901 he was living with his parents at Grovehurst, his occupation was painter. He was married on the 20th February 1910 to Elizabeth Ellen Watts, they lived at 39 Heath Park Rd Romford Essex. Elizabeth used to make Spirella Corsets of the whalebone variety. It would appear that according to the 1911 census that Herbert and his wife Elizabeth changed careers at some stage. In 1911 they both have the title “Mental Attendant” and both worked in a Workhouse in Rochford Essex.
Herbert Lewis Butler enlisted with the 2nd Battalion, the Suffolk regiment at Sevenoaks in Kent at some date between 1914 and or early 1915. Herbert and his battalion the 2nd Suffolks saw action on the Somme and other major battles of WW1. Herbert Lewis Butler was presumed killed in action on Saturday the 16th June 1917 near Arras, France. He was 34 years of age, and his body was never found.
Herbert Lewis Butler was presumed killed in action on 16th June 1917, he was 34 years of age, and his body was never found. Like so many men, both young and old during the Great War, Herbert had literally disappeared into thin air. All that was left of him was his name. His name was eventually inscribed and remembered on the Arras Memorial Wall, Bay 4. The Arras Memorial commemorates about 35,000 servicemen from England, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras area of France between the spring of 1916, and August 1918. They have no known grave. They will never be forgotten.
There is an unverified report that states he, “was killed in action by a sniper”. If that was the case, his body would have been recovered and he should have been buried in a marked grave. The cutting below is from a local paper and the information may have been supplied by his brother Edgar Norman Butler, my Grandfather.
A local newspaper cutting from 1916 concerning Herbert Lewis Butler.
Below are some of the photos I took on my visit to France and the Arras Memorial, during September 2015 to visit, research and pay my respects to our Great Uncle, Herbert Lewis Butler 1882 – 1917.
Percy William Butler, born 17th December1883 at Stone, Dartford, Kent. He became a grocer. In 1901 he was living with his parent’s at Grovehurst, and his occupation was shop assistant. In 1911 he was living with his wife in his parent’s house in Frindsbury Rochester. He was still a grocer’s assistant. He was married on the 26th December 1910 in Broadstairs, Kent to Elizabeth Ethel Claddish. She was born in Canterbury 1890, daughter of Thomas Claddish. As of this year 2024 I have been unable to find out if he served in the armed services during WW1, or if he was in a reserved occupation? There is a record of a Percy William Butler who joined the “Rifle Brigade” in 1904 for several months, but I am not sure if it is our Percy William Butler ? The military record appears below. In the 1921 census Percy is still working in the Grocery trade.
Edith May Butler, born 3rd March1885 – died 1st May1885.
The photo below taken about 1958 appears earlier in this post, this version I managed to colourise and features Auntie Beattie in the back garden of 181 on a visit to see her niece, (Mum) and her growing family including baby Michael and our pet cat Snooker.
Beatrice Constance Butler was born on the 16th August 1892 in Milton Regis, Kent. She died in March 1985, in a Convent at West Ogwell Newton Abbot Devon. In 1911 she was living with her parents in Frindsbury Rochester. Her occupation was student, and part-time teacher, she was living in Strood with her father, and sister Rose. When her father died in 1939, Beattie gave up teaching and entered a Church of England Convent, wearing a brown habit and black veil, her convent name being Sister Constance. She painted and specialised in calligraphy. She was blind in one eye, as a result of a childhood accident while playing with one of her brothers. I am fortunate that I have inherited some of her Artwork which appears below.
The painting of the Fox Hound on the left was painted by Beattie & she may have painted this subject as one of her brothers, Henry Charles Butler worked for Tickham Hunt. Not sure about the painting of a plant/flower on the left and there is no signature or date to indicate its origin.
This close up image of one of the Dog paintings shows Beattie’s signature and the date she finished it, 1913 when she would have been 21 years of age.
The painting of the Dog on the left above, is definitely by Beattie & painted in the same year as the Fox hound painting. The painting of the Egret on the right used to hang in Auntie Florry’s house. I like to think that Beattie painted it but there is no concrete proof. The close up image below is the corner of the Egret painting, and I presume the initials and date of the Artist” E.P. 1906″ I have no idea who the Artist was, any ideas?
Henry Charles Butler, born 16th August 1886 at Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, Kent, died 24th January 1938 at Hernhill nr Faversham, Kent. At some stage during WW1 Henry joined the 6th Battalion of The East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) and we think he saw active service in France. As yet we have not been able to find very much of his Military service history. It is possible that his record along with many others was part of the “Burnt Records” that were destroyed during the Blitz during WW2.
We are fairly certain that the Medal Index Card above is Henry Charles Butlers.
Henry was married in 1915 at Stalisfield Nr Faversham, Kent to Evelyn Alice Ransom. She was born in 1891, and died 4th August 1975. Their Marriage Certificate states that he was a Pte E Kent Rgt. They lived at Waterham cottages Hernhill nr Faversham, Kent. Henry joined the local hunt and became 2nd Whip. (Is this where the famous Fox head came from?!) They had four children.
James William Herbert Butler born 1919 died 1997 – married Belinda Randle on the 22nd April 1950, they had no children.
Evelyn Mary Butler born 1922 died 1987- married Frank Stratford on the 8th July 1948, they also had no children.
Reginald Henry John Butler born 1923, died 1995 – Married, Anne Mary Tutter in 1965, they had 2 girls.
Joseph Charles Butler, b 1928. Joe lives at Waterham, Nr. Hernhill, and is a bachelor.
Many of you will remember the infamous Fox Head (above) that glared at everybody as they came in the front door of 181 Ufton Lane. We can only presume that Henry presented it to Edgar his brother, our Grandfather at some stage. Where and if the same connection can be made for the Fox Door Knocker that was on the front door of 181 is anybody’s guess. I rescued it from the old front door many years ago, it appears below!
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Reginald Stanley Butler, born 26th July1894 Milton Regis, Kent. Died 6th September 1894 Milton Regis,
Dorothy Kate Butler was born on the 25th February1889 in Milton Regis, Kent. She was also known as Dora, she died on the 28th January 1937 in Herne Bay from kidney trouble. She was married on the 11th June 1912 to George Arnold Worley. They had 7 children and lived at Hobday Bungalow, West Cliffe, Herne Bay. Their children were Gladys, Joan, Mary, Margaret, Fred, Ann, and Jim. Jim was a fruit farmer whose daughter was killed by a bull.
Ann was 20 years younger than Mary and married and lived in Scotland.
Our Grandfather Edgar Norman Butler born 21stOctober 1887 – died 19th June 1957. His life, times and family
Edgar Norman Butler, (Our Grandfather) was born on the 21st October 1887 (Trafalgar day) at Grovehurst Milton Regis, Kent, one of 14 children born to his parents. In 1911 he was living with his parents in Frindsbury, Rochester, his occupation was, commercial clerk. He was married on the 15th October 1913 at St Michaels Catholic Church, Chatham, Kent to Eva May Pook, born 8th April 1887 Portsmouth. Eva May Pook was a teacher. Edgar’s place of residence on his marriage certificate was 25 West St Sittingbourne Kent. Edgar and Eva met at a tennis club in the Medway towns. Edgar was blonde, non-conformist and left handed, and Eva Pook was RC.
Their marriage certificate is bright blue and because it didn’t give all the usual information about the father’s occupations etc it apparently was not a valid Marriage Certificate!? Patricia Butler tried to get a certified copy from the Chatham Registry office only to find out that St Michaels RC Church was not licensed to conduct marriages, and the marriage was not legal. Patricia remembers unexpectedly visiting her Grandparents to find they had just returned home by train, and that her Grandfather joked about all the fun he could have had if he knew, and her Grandmother gave him a ‘look’ commenting that it had all been a waste of time as they had been through it all once before. Pat has tried, without success to find out if they did, in fact, marry again.
Photo above is of Edgar Norman Butler, our Grandfather.
Edgar Butler did not serve in the armed forces during WW1 as he was in a reserved occupation working in the food industry in Sittingbourne. However, my cousin Patricia Payne nee Butler has sent me her Butler family tree packed with additional information. Apparently, our Grandfather was a conscientious objector!?
The copied image below is the Census Return from 1921 when Edgar & Eva were living at 116 East Street, Sittingbourne. interesting to note that Eva May Butler our Grandmother’s younger sister, Dorothy Helena Pook was visiting them from her family home in Wimbledon on Census night.
Edgar Butler was the secretary to the board of Directors for G.H. Deans Jam factory. The jam and pickle factory is now long gone but was situated in Bell Lane, Sittingbourne. Two of my Great Uncles, his brothers served in the British Army and both lost their lives in France.
Edgar was also the Secretary of the Sittingbourne Adult club. Edgar owned and rented out various properties in Sittingbourne. They first lived at 116 East St Sittingbourne, Kent but later moved to ‘Invicta’, 181 Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne, due to traffic noise, but retained ownership of the East St property.
The White Horse Rampant (Invicta) appears in various forms on the Heraldry of Kent’s towns. The horse is a symbol of the county’s Anglo-Saxon origins, specifically in reference to Horsa, the mythological character who spearheaded the invasion of Roman Britain in the 5th century. The white horse or Saxon war steed can also be found on continental heraldry throughout Germany and Holland. Kent’s motto, ‘Invicta’, means unconquered and refers to a legend. Apparently, a band of Kentish men ambushed William the Conqueror, held him captive and only released him and his soldiers once they had exacted certain promises from him that gave them certain privileges and respected their Kentish liberties
This ‘Invicta’ plaque is a copy of the original plaque from 181 Ufton Lane. Brian Puplett (Christine Puplett nee Barry’s husband) very kindly had 8 replicas manufactured for each of Edgar & Eva’s, Barry Grandchildren in 2011.
Eric James Butler (son of Edgar & Eva Butler) born 1st May 1916 at 116 East St Sittingbourne, died 14th November1991 Minster Isle of Sheppey, buried at Denton nr Canterbury. Eric was left handed and brought up non-conformist. Attended Borden Grammar school, worked for Filmers repairing lorries in Sittingbourne. In 1936 he worked at Shorts Aircraft Factory Strood, Kent. On the 7th January 1939, he joined the RAF. Eric was promoted to AC1, trade being engine fitter. He married Annie Godden on the 15th October 1939 at Denton nr Canterbury. Eric was stationed at RAF St Athan, Wales, Cranage, and Cheshire. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1943. Ann & Eric’s home was now 199 Park Road Sittingbourne and this was owned by his father Edgar.
Until 1944 Eric was in various RAF camps and then spent the rest of war in France, Belgium, Holland and then Germany. In 1946 he worked at Milton Gas works. From 1948 to 1950 he worked for the Swan Bakery delivering bread. From 1950 to 1953 he worked in Kemsley Paper Mill, and from 1953 until 1976 for the Coop Bakery delivering bread. Eric and Ann had 4 Children – Robin (Bert), Peter, Patricia and Mary.
Left photo – Eric Butler & his sister Muriel Butler. Right Photo – Grandma Butler, Grandad Butler, Muriel Butler & her brother Eric Butler.
Edgar and Eva’s daughter, Muriel Dorothy Butler was born on 26th April 1922 at 116 East St Sittingbourne. She was also affectionately known as Pickles. Her mother Eva brought her up in the Roman Catholic faith. She married James Patrick Barry (born 1913 Hong Kong) They married on the 17th March 1947 in the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Sittingbourne. Jim died 8th May 2001 in Chatham Hospital and was cremated at Vintners Park, Bearsted, Maidstone.
During WW2 he was in the Royal Engineers. He was awarded the 39/45 Star, Italy Star, Africa Star, War Medal, and the Defence medal. Muriel flew to Gibraltar on the 2nd May 1947 where Jim had employment in the drawing office at Gibraltar Dockyard RN. On the 29th December 1949, they returned to England and Jim was now employed in the drawing office at Chatham RN Dockyard. They first lived in Staplehurst Rd, then 116 East St Sittingbourne, (both houses were owned by Muriel’s parents), and finally in June 1957 to ‘Invicta’, 181 Ufton Lane Sittingbourne, soon after Edgar died. Muriel died on 16th February 2011 and was buried in the Butler grave where her Mother & Father had been buried. As per Mum & Dad’s wishes Dad’s Cremation Urn was buried along with Mum, reunited in Death. R.I.P. Mum & Dad.
The copied image below is from the 1939 Register (Census) concerning the occupants of Invicta 181 Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent.
Edgar Norman Butler our Grandfather is listed first on the entry for 181 Ufton Lane, his occupation is Company Secretary. His wife Eva May Butler nee Pook is next, she trained as a Teacher but gave up her occupation when she married Edgar in 1913. Our mother Muriel Butler is next, and at the age of 17 she is working in the Civil Service as a Clerical Assistant, first in Chatham Dockyard & once that was bombed heavily by German Aircraft, her department was moved to Maidstone. Avis Dean, a schoolgirl aged 9 was also present at 181 on this day, also Bevan Dean, a schoolgirl aged 14, I believe they may have been daughters of Edgar’s employer ( G H Dean) and possibly friends of Mum.
Edgar, our Grandfather Produced and wrote a Booklet to support the War Effort during WW2, the cover and title page is reproduced below.
Edgar and Eva used to fly out to visit their daughter, son-in-law and Grandchild, Terence Bernard Barry while they were in Gibraltar, the photo below shows them in Gibraltar in 1948. Edgar and Eva had another holiday touring Ireland in 1956.
The Photo above is of Mum in Gibraltar sitting on a 13 Inch Mortar, as far as I know it is still there today, in the Botanical Gardens.
Do not know how many of you remember the pink/black table featured above? From memory it was always somewhere in 181. I always liked it as an occasional table, but I was always a bit dubious about the pink/black paint job. A few years ago I decided to laboriously strip away the pink/black paint, paint the legs Grey and leave the top natural. I much prefer my renovation. However I recently discovered that this table is likely to be a Liberty of London table with Japanese Flower carving and the pink/black paint finish was its original finish!