255419 Pte. Charles William Butler British Army 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment (d.20th November 1915) Charles Butler was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire in April 1883. Charles' parents were Frederick Butler (1854-1935) and Elizabeth Rebecca Butler, nee Carthew (1859-1950). Frederick and Elizabeth married in Bicester in January 1882.
Charles was the eldest of Frederick and Elizabeth's two children, his sibling was Walter (1885-1957).
The 1891 census recorded Charles living at 40 Stoke Street, Stoke Lyne in Oxfordshire. He was residing with his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth, and brother Walter. Frederick was working as a gardener's labourer, whilst Charles was at school. The 1901 census shows Charles living on Stratton Lane, Stoke Lyne, aged 17. Charles was living with his parents and brother. He was working as an agricultural labourer on a farm, whilst his father, Frederick, was still employed as a gardener's labourer. The 1911 census shows Charles living in Stoke Lyne. He was living with his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth and brother Walter. Charles was working as a gardener, with his father.
Charles enlisted in the Army at Oxford in early 1915. He served as a private in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He later transferred to serve as a private in the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.
The Regiment sailed from Avonmouth on the 29th of March 1915 and sailed to Alexandria via Malta and then onto Mudros in April. They landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25 April 1915. They were involved in heavy fighting between April 1915 and January 1916, when they were evacuated. Charles was wounded and sent back to Alexandria, where he died of his wounds on 20 November 1915, aged 32. He is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery.
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