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Arthur Albert Butler - Information

Arthur Albert Butler was born on the 12th of July 1879 in Cawdor. He attended Superior Public School and when he was almost 20 years old, joined the military and served 14 months during the Boer War from 1899-1900. Arthur fought in the Kimberley and Johannesburg earning the Queens Medal. When Arthur returned home, he continued his military service with the NSW Mounted Rifles with the 2nd Light Horse as a Trooper, and a 3 year commission with the 9th Light Horse. When the war began, Arthur was living in Camden with his wife, Elizabeth, and working as a grazier. He was quick to apply for a Commission on the 22nd of August 1914, which was granted. Arthur’s proposal for service was announced in the local newspaper, demonstrating the support for the war effort of the community. Arthur was appointed 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Light Horse Regiment, and departed Sydney Harbour onboard the Star of Victoria on the 20th of October 1914.

Sadly, when the Star of Victoria reached the port of Colombo, Arthur received news that his father had passed away. Unfortunately, his father’s death left his mother and wife with a family business that they could not attend to. Arthur then asked for his commission to be terminated, so he could return home to tend to the family business. General Bridges concurred, and Arthur returned to Australia at his own cost. He returned to his family in Camden, where he remained with the 9th Light Horse Regiment to help train new recruits to send overseas.