Pte 35988 John Wilfrid Butterworth

John Wilfrid Butterworth was born in Royton in the March quarter of 1892, the son of George Butterworth and his wife Elizabeth Emma (née Kershaw). His parents married in Oldham in 1879 He had at least five brothers: Harry, George, Frank, Harold, and Edgar. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 2, Rainshaw Street, Royton, Oldham, Lancashire. His father, George, is aged 42, born in Royton in 1859 is a cotton warehouseman, his mother, Elizabeth, is also aged 42, born 1859 with no occupation listed. They have six children living with them who were all born in Royton; Harry aged 20, born 1881 and Frank aged 15, born 1886 are both cotton yarn packers, George William aged 19, born 1882 is a short hand writer and typist, Harold aged 11, born 1890, John Wilfrid aged 9, born 1892 and Edgar aged 5, born 1896. They also have their father in law John Kershaw a widower aged 74, born 1827 in Royton and employed as a cotton weaver.

On the 1911 census the family have moved to 14 Rainshaw Street, Royton. His father, George, is aged 53, and is a fustian and cotton cloth worker, mother Elizabeth is aged 52. They have been married for 31 years and have had 7 children, 6 of whom have survived. Those children listed at home are; Frank, aged 25, a cotton yarn packer, Wilfrid aged 19  also a cotton yarn packer, and Edgar aged 15 a grocers assistant.

Prior to the outbreak of the war John Wilfrid played football for Royton Congregational Amateur Football Club.

His mother died in the June quarter of 1913, aged 54.

 

Wilfrid enlisted in Royton and was serving in the 13th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment and was at some point transferred to the 18th Battalion. He was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 35988 when he was killed in action on the 28^th March, 1918 aged 26 during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion Diary gives an insight into the chaotic events of the day

28^th March

At about 6am the enemy commenced to shell heavily the whole of the forward line and brought Trench Mortars and MACHINE Guns into action.

FOLIES was shelled and the area in the rear of the village as far back as LE QUESNEL.

Rations were received at dawn and parties were organised to carry them to the Companies on the right. Owing to the heavy fire, however, it was not possible to get them up.

Heavy fighting was in progress on the right from soon after dawn and at 8am the enemy was reported to be in possession of BOUCHOIR and progressing towards the BEETROOT FACTORY. About 10am  the 59^th Infy Brigade was notified that it was relieved by the French and the Battalions of that Brigade were at once withdrawn in the direction of LE QUESNEL.

At noon the enemy was bombarding the village and vicinity heavily and reports were received that he was in occupation of WARVILLERS on the left and ARVILLERS on the right.

The front line East of FOLIES continued to resist until about 2pm when the order was received from the 89^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the Battalions were relieved by the French and would withdraw at once to MEZIERES, where the men would be fed. Companies withdrew under some shelling and very heavy M.G. and rifle fire from the left , through K10 -K3 – North side LE QUESNEL to the main ROYE road and reorganised about D.29 c. The march from this point was conducted in good order despite the congested roads.

At MEZIERES it was decided to continue a rearward movement and the march was resumed via VILLERS-MOREUIL – MORISEL – ROUVREL, which village was reached about 7pm and the Battalion billeted. The men had marched 13 miles from the left position in good order and with practically no straggling. They were exhausted on arrival at ROUVREL, but in good heart.

Echelon ‘A’ of the Transport joined the Battalion at this village and the men were fed immediately on arrival. The night passed without incident.   

John Wifred has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.  

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

His Army effects and a War Gratuity of £9 went to his brother George William, who was also granted probate, effects of £106-5s-10d, showing Wilfrid’s address as 80 Middleton Road, Royton.