Roll of Honour
Sapper
Edward Lawrence Butler
Student
Edward Lawrence Butler, eldest son of Alexander and Mary Lumsden Butler, was born in Port Glasgow in 1897. His father Alexander Butler studied at the University, graduating with a medical degree in 1887, and served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps.
Edward attended Warriston School in Moffat. At the age of 18 he enrolled at the University to begin his studies in the Humanities, within the Arts Faculty.
Before his first year at the University was complete Edward joined the Army, serving as a Sapper in the 5th Field Survey Company of the Royal Engineers.
Following 15 months active service in France he was attached as a cadet to a Siege Battery and was killed shortly afterwards by shell fire, at the Battle of Passchendaele on 21st October 1917. He was 20 years old.
His younger brother Alan Lumsden Butler, who served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and his father, Alexander Butler survived the war.
Edward Lawrence Butler is buried and commemorated at the Talana Farm Cemetery, Belgium, near the village of Boezinge.
Comments and Citations
University of Glasgow Registry and Roll of Honour Records
Obituary Notice:Inverclyde's Great War
Service information contributed by J