Private Ernest Butcher

Ernest enlisted in December 1915 as a Private with the 1st Battalion, County of London Regiment. His Service Number changed at some point from No. 5505, to No. 202426. His Battalion saw action at the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, and the Battle of Aubers with the 25th Brigade of the 8th Division. The Battalion then transferred to the 167th Brigade of the 56th Division in February 1916, and were involved at Dommecourt, The Battles of Ginchy, Flers-Courcellete, Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges.

During the Second Battle of Arras, France, the Battalion took part in the third Battle of the Scarpe (3-4 May 1917). This battle was a disaster of the British army, who were not able to make any significant advances, and the attack was called off the following day after incurring nearly 6,000 casualties.
In the Official History, Military Operations France and Belgium 1917, Cyril Falls gives the following reasons for the failure on 3 May 1917 in the VII Corps frontage:

“The confusion caused by the darkness; the speed with which the German artillery opened fire; the manner in which it concentrated upon the British infantry, almost neglecting the artillery; the intensity of its fire, the heaviest that many an experienced soldier had ever witnessed, seemingly unchecked by British counter-battery fire and lasting almost without slackening for fifteen hours; the readiness with which the German infantry yielded to the first assault and the energy of its counter-attack; and, it must be added, the bewilderment of the British infantry on finding itself in the open and its inability to withstand any resolute counter-attack.”

One of those casualties was Ernest, who was killed in action on 3 May 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. He was entitled to the Victory and British War Medals. On his death, his mother Elizabeth received £9.15.2 from his pay.

Ernest is commemorated locally at St Saviour’s Parish Church, Raynes Park, and in the Wimbledon Book of Remembrance.