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Ernest Rupert Butler - Information

Ernest Rupert Butler was born in Camden c1882. His parents Harriet and Joseph Butler Esq. eventually moved the family to Corndale, near Richmond Rivers on the North Coast. Ernest remained with the family and earned a living working as a farmer. After the war commenced, he decided to do his bit and sign up with the boys. He enlisted in Lismore on the 5th of December 1914, aged 22. During training, Ernest was posted as a Trooper with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. He embarked Brisbane on the HMAT Itria on the 9th of February 1915.

Ernest disembarked in Egypt, and was quickly shipped out from Alexandria to Gallipoli on the 9th of May when reinforcements were needed. Sadly, he had been on the Peninsula for only a few days, when he was wounded in action on the 14th of May. Ernest was severely injured shot in his left leg and hit in his face which fractured his jaw. After initial treatment at the aid post, Ernest was rushed onboard the Hospital Ship Gascon Bet. Sadly, his wounds were too extensive, and he died at 7:45am on the 16th of May near Gaba Tepe. He was later buried at sea, 3 miles off the Gallipoli, by the Chaplain of the HMS Prince of Wales. His name was later recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

Back in Camden, the Butler family received the terrible news. Although it provided little solace, his kit bag later reached Australia. This included a gold watch which Ernest willed to his sister Nellie Doris.