William was born in Lewisham, south London in early 1885.  He is possibly the same William Butters who appears on the 1891 census as a five year old living at 2 Brigade Street, Lewisham.  The household comprised: Henry Butters (head, married, aged 38, a “potman” at an inn), Harriet Butters, (wife, aged 31) and five children: Henry Butters (aged eight), Frank Butters (aged seven), William, Jessie Butters (aged three) and Kate Butters (aged one).

William married Clara Ann Corley at St Margaret’s Church, Lee, south east London in 1907, their marriage recorded in the March quarter of that year for the Lewisham district.  William would have been around 22 years old, his bride, born in 1888, would have been around 19. 

On 8th December 1907 their first child, Edward Charles Butters was born.  On 29th January 1909 a daughter, Emily Doris Butters, followed.  John Nicholas Butters was born on 10th December 1911 and then, on 27th September 1912, twin sons James Leslie Butters and Henry James Butters were born.

On 6th June 1913, William joined the 20th London Regiment (TF) for a period of four years and served with B Company. On 17th November that year, his sixth child, Florence May Butters, was born. 

By the time the First World War was declared however, he was clearly not a well man.  While the 1/20th Londons sailed for France in March 1915, William stayed behind, transferring to the second line (2/20th) battalion.  A Medical Board, convened on 4th June, reported chronic pulmonary tuberculosis with signs of active TB in both lungs.  The Board adjudged that although military service had not caused this, it had rendered it active.

“Originated Nov 1914 at Hatfield.  He states that he was quite well Nov 1914, when he developed a cough.  The cough became worse and he brought up much purulent sputum.  Sleep sweats from March 1915 to April 1915.  Lost some weight.  Present condition a weak and wasted man.  Signs of active tuberculosis in both lungs, particularly the right lung which is affected in its entirety.  Sputum contains enormous numbers of tubercle Bacilli.”

The Board’s view was that the incapacity was permanent and total and William was duly discharged from C Company of the 2/20th Londons at Braintree, Essex on 25th June 1915.  He gave his trade as labourer and his intended place of residence as 1 Brigade Street, Blackheath.  He had served two years and twenty days.  On 29th November 1916, William received his silver war badge and certificate.  That same year, a fifth son was born.

With a wife and seven children to feed, William’s main concern must have been how a man with chronic TB could possibly manage.  Fortunately however, he had an army pension and details of six subsequent Medical Boards are held in his service record at The National Archives.  He was discharged from the army on a pension of four shillings and eight pence a week and received an additional two shillings and sixpence a week for each of his six children.  Sadly though, he would never recover.  

An award form from the Ministry of Pensions, held in William's file at the National Archives and dated 19th May 1920, reveals that from 28th January 1920, Clara received a weekly award of twenty six shillings and eightpence whilst the weekly allowance for the seven children amounted to forty seven shillings and sixpence; a fairly considerable sum.  Nevertheless, no money could have compensated the children for the loss of their father, or Clara, a widow at 32, for the loss of her husband.

William had died on 25th January 1920, presumably of TB, and was buried in Ladywell cemetery, Lewisham.  He is recorded as a First World War casualty and appears on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's debt of honour register.  Additional information notes that he was the husband of Clara A. Butters of 1, Brigade Street, Blackheath Village, London; the family home at least since 1911.

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William’s reference in the album entry to the Blind half hundred could refer to nickname given to the 1st Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment which was formerly the 50th Foot.  The battalion earned its nickname after many of the men suffered from opthalmia in Egypt in 1801.

Sources and Acknowledgements

·         1891 Census of England and Wales

·         1901 Census of England and Wales

·         The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

·         The National Archives: Medal Card Index: WO 372/3

·         The National Archives: Silver War Badge Roll TP/387: WO 329 3160

·         William's partial service record exists at The National Archives; reference: WO 364/572