217552 Pte. Herbert Ormonde Butler British Army 1st btn. 3rd btn. 23rd london regiment east surrey regiment from:34 Bradford Road Sydenham Bert Butler was my grandfather he served in the 23rd London Regiment during World War 1.
Prior to the war he was working as a clerk in the Army and Navy Stores in Victoria Road London, he signed up as part of Kitchener’s army at the age of 20 and joined in Camberwell London.
He was attested on the 9th March 1916 and after completing his training on the 13th July 1916 he was posted to France arriving in Le Havre on 14th July 1916.
His battalion fought in the Somme, he was wounded on 15th September 1916 in the battle of High Wood. The battle was significant as it was the first time tanks were used.
My grandfather received a bullet wound to his right leg and was sent back to England, he was admitted to Herbert Hospital in Woolwich London where he spent several weeks recuperating. He was posted again to France until April 1917.
He was hospitalised again in February 1918 with septic poisoning, he later trained as a signaller and was promoted to Corporal in September the same year and transferred to the 3rd Battalion of the East Surrey regiment.
He was demobbed on 21st February 1919 from Fovant dispersal unit.
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