218132 Trpr. Alexander Butler Canadian Expeditionary Force Royal Canadian Dragoons (d.2nd Jul 1916) Alexander Butler was executed for murder 02/07/1916 and buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Ribemont, France.
Alexander Butler, a Londoner by birth, emigrated to Canada and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was involved in a number of battles, before falling from his horse and injuring his head. He became mentally unstable, which resulted in him shooting and killing another soldier, in June 1916. Butler was executed by firing squad in July 1916.
Born in London, England on 11 June 1888, Alexander Butler served in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars for nearly seven years, before emigrating to Canada.
Following the outbreak of the war, Butler enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and was dispatched to France in May 1915, where he participated in dismounted service at the Battle of Festubert, Battle of Givenchy and the Battle of Messines. Butler fell off his horse twice, once resulting in a head injury, which led to increasingly belligerent behaviour. The RCDs then saw mounted service in the forthcoming June 1916 Somme Offensive.
On 8 June 1916, while stationed behind the front lines of Hesdin, Butler took his rifle and opened fire, shooting Trooper Mickleburgh dead with five shots in the chest before he was overpowered and arrested.
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