BUTLER, Spencer

Spencer, the only son of George and Caroline Butler, was born at Inverell in 1882. He was a thirty four year old farmer at Ormond Vale, Inverell and a member of the Inverell Rifle Club prior to enlisting for war service. He had previous military experience having served three years with the 5th Light Horse at Lismore.

After enlisting at Inverell he joined the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs when they departed the town on 12 January 1916 for the Narrabri Camp. These recruits were then sent to Armidale where Spencer became one of the 33rd Battalion D Company. They sailed from Australia in HMAT A74 Marathon on 4 May 1916, arriving in England nine weeks later. After further training at Salisbury Plain, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion and sent to France in September. The following year Spencer was evacuated to Hospital in England suffering Trench Fever. Three months later he was returned to his unit in France. Spencer came back to Australia in May 1919 and six years later married Doris Mason. He died in 1932 and was buried at Inverell.

Private Spencer Butler’s name is inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll.