BUTCHER, William Henry

Credit: CWGC

Rifleman

1st/8th Battalion Isle of Wight Rifles

Hampshire Regiment

William was born 1890 in Newport to John & Mary Jane (nee DENNETT) BUTCHER. In the 1911 census he was recorded as living at 32 Orchard Street in Newport.

April 1917, during the 2nd Battle of Gazza, the Rifles crossed 2,500 yards of open ground, they were severely exposed & suffered heavy causalities. Even so, they did capture a redoubt with the support of a tank, though this was knocked out when the Turks counter-attacked & recaptured the position. The Hampshires lost 23 officers & more than 400 other ranks.

William, aged 26, was reported Missing Presumed Killed in Action on the 16th of April 1917, & he is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial to The Missing with 3,310 of his First World War comrades.

William is also remembered on the Newport Borough & IW Rifles War Memorials.

CWGC Casualty Record

Cemetary

Sons & Daughters Commemorated Far From Home

Those from the Newport & Carisbrooke area who are buried or commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission outside of the area, both in the UK and in other countries.

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The image is of the Tyne Cot Military Cemetery & Memorial in Belgium.