Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Leading Stoker H. R. Butler, Royal Navy, later Royal Fleet Reserve

1914-15 Star (SS.107922. H. R. Butler. Sto.1., R.N.) in named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (SS.107922 H. R. Butler. L. Sto. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (SS.107922 (Ch. B. 10447) H. R. Butler. L. Sto. R.F.R.) extremely fine (4) £70-90

Henry Robert Butler was born in Egham, Surrey on 21 January 1891, and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 23 January 1909. Promoted Stoker 1st Class on 19 August 1909, he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 8 March 1914. He served during the Great War first in H.M.S. Victorious, from 2 August 1914 until 7 February 1915, and then for the remainder of the War at H.M.S. Pembroke, from where he was posted for service in the Union Steam Ship Company’s vessel S.S. Wahine, 8 October 1915 until 31 May 1916, and 22 July 1916 until 14 February 1919; the Wahine had been commissioned by the Admiralty at the start of the War and was used as a despatch vessel at Gallipoli, and as a minelayer in the North Sea. Butler was shore pensioned on 7 June 1921.