Pte 17790 Gerald Norman Butcher

• Age: 29
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 12th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Suzanne Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: G.13

Gerald Norman Butcher was born in 1886 in Liverpool, he was the second of three children and the eldest son born to Edward Butcher, a commercial accountant, and his wife Mabel Beatrice (née McOubrey/Macoubrey) who were married at St. John The Baptist Church, Tuebrook in 1884. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 91 Kingsley Road, Liverpool.His father, Edward, is aged 32, and he is employed as a book-keeper, and was born in Liverpool. His mother, Mabel, is aged 30, with no occupation listed and was born in Liverpool as were their three children. Their children Doris, is aged 5, born in 1886, Gerald Norman, is aged 4, born in 1887 and John, is aged 2 born in 1889. They also have their sister in law Constance Moore living at the address, she is aged 36, born in 1855 in Birkenhead and has no occupation listed, They also have a visitor Lucy Leaman, a married woman, who is aged 37 who was born in Selly Oak, Birmingham in 1854. 

The 1901 Census shows the family have moved to 4 Westmoreland Road, Liscard. His father, Edward, is now aged 42, and he is employed as a commercial accountant and his mother, Mabel, is aged 39, with no occupation listed. Their three children are still living with them at the address, Doris, is aged 15, Gerald Norman, is aged 14 and John is aged 12.  

The 1911 Census shows the family now living at Glan- Y- Gors Marlowe Road Liscard. His father, Edward, is now aged 59, and working as a commercial clerk and his mother,Mabel, is aged 50, with no occupation listed. They have been married for twenty six years and have had three children. At the taking of the Census they have two of their children living with them, Doris, is aged 25, has no occupation listed and Gerald Norman, is aged 24 and is a commercial clerk.

On 11th September 1914, he enlisted at Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He was aged 27 years 311 days and gave his occupation as clerk. He was described as being five feet five inches tall, weighed 127lbs, with a 35" chest, he had a fresh complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. He ststed his religion as Church of England and  as his next of kin, was his father Edward, of 7 Grafton Road, New Brighton, later 334 Liverpool Road, Birkdale. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

On 22^nd March 1915 at Knowsley Park, he was given 4 days CB for overstaying his leave; at Belton Park on 23^rd July 1915 he was ‘excused’ having been charged with ‘being dirty on guard’;  and at Larkhill on 5th October 1915 he was ordered to forfeit 2 days pay and given 7 days CB for overstaying his leave.

On 07^th November 1915, he arrived in France.

On 12^th May 1916, he died of wounds received in action and as reported by Reverend Ballemein was buried in Suzanne Communal Cemetery Extension, in Grave G 13, next to another Liverpool Pal, Cyril Bell.

The village of Suzanne was taken over by British troops in the summer of 1915, lost in March 1918, and recaptured by the 3rd Australian Division on the following 26th August. The Extension was begun by French troops, used by the British from August 1915 to January 1917, taken over by the Germans in March 1918, and resumed by British units in August and September 1918. The graves of 387 French and 71 German soldiers have been removed to other cemeteries. There are now over 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The Extension covers an area of 981 square metres and is enclosed on three sides by a low rubble wall.

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £8 7s 4d and a War Gratuity of £7 10s went to his father Edward, but no pension record has been found. 

His personal items returned included:- a prayer book, testament, 3 photos, wallet, 4 letters and a hair brush. 

On 21.09.1919, according to his Medal Card, his mother wrote in asking for his medals from 88 Rowson Road; in July 1922 she is sent a letter in reply to her enquiry of 27^th June 1922, assuring her that her details had been forwarded to the Manager, Plaque Section, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, to enable him to send Gerald’s plaque. She is then at 334 Liverpool Road, Birkdale.

Gerald was awarded all three medals.

A photograph of Gerald Butcher appears in the Wallasey News dated 03^rd June 1916.

On the 1921 Census at 334 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, his father, Edward is aged 62, and a book keeper, his mother, Mabel, is aged 61, with daughter Doris Butcher aged 35, and granddaughter Joan, aged 11 months.  

His father died, aged 78, in 1937 in Wallasey.

On the 1939 Register at “Chelmsford”, Hoylake Road,his widowed, mother, Mabel, date of birth 26th April 1862, is living with her married daughter Doris Rogers.  

We currently have no further information on Gerald Norman Butcher, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.