Harold George Butler (1892 – 1932)

                                    Anne Butler (1883 – 1970)

Harold George Butler was born in 1892 in Wokingham the son of Sydney Charles and Elizabeth Dinah, nee Wenborn, Butler. He was recorded with his parents and two siblings in Easthampstead Road in Wokingham in the 1901 census, Sydney was a railway clerk. Ten years later in the 1911 census the family was still living in Easthampstead Road with Harold recorded as a chair maker.

After leaving school Harold was a keen cricketer and footballer. He helped London Road CCC win the Reading & District Challenge Cup and played as goalkeeper for a local football team. Another interest was playing the horn in a local band.

Anne Flint was born 23 April 1883 in Bracknell, the daughter of Edwin Foster and Mary Ann, nee Clinch, Flint. The family moved to Newbury soon after Anne’s birth and on 30 September 1989 she started attending British National Girls School in Newbury, her family was living at Park View Terrace in Newbury. The school register notes she left the school on 1 September 1890 as she had left the town, although they were back in Park View in the census the following year. In the 1891 census Anne and her parents were recorded as living at Park View Terrace in Newbury. Ten years later in the 1901 census the family had moved to 1 Sherwood Villas, The Folly, Greenham Road in Newbury and they were still there in 1911. In both censuses Anne was recorded as a draper’s assistant.

Harold joined the Band of The Royal Fusiliers in 1916 and he served in France, Belgium and Italy. He was invalided home in 1918 after a big German push. Following a period of hospital and sanatorium treatment he was transferred to The Royal Army Service Corp until demobilised in 1919.  

During a period of leave Harold married Anne Flint on 7 June 1917 at St Paul in Wokingham. At the time of his marriage he was recorded as a private in 1^st Battalion of Royal Berks.

In the 1921 census Harold and Ann were living with Anne’s parents and her sister at 1 Sherwood Villas, The Folly, Greenham Road in Newbury. Harold was working as a clerk for Containers Ltd, paper and cardboard makers, at Colthrop.

Around about the time of the census Harold had a very serious illness and had to give up all his sporting activities and also playing in the band.

On Thursday 10^th March 1932 Harold returned from work, he had been working for Newbury Savings Bank for circa two years, and felt unwell. He was confined to bed, apart from a short spell on Saturday 12^th, and despite visits from Dr Kennedy who diagnosed he was suffering from influenza, he died at 3am on Wednesday 16^th. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 21 March 1932.

Anne was recorded as living by herself at 1 Sherwood Villas in September 1939 when the national register was compiled, her occupation was domestic duties.

Anne died 20 April 1970 still living at 1 Sherwood Villas and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 April 1970. She left a will and probate was granted on 5 February 1971 at Oxford, the value of the estate was £4,950.

Author: Soper
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