Description
Crimea Medal, bar Alma, Gunner and Driver Charles Butler, Royal Artillery. Unusual single bar entitlement. From Frome, Somerset.
Contemporary hand engraved naming: “Gr & Dvr CHAs BUTLER Rl Art”
Neat professionally done engraving, maybe the work of Hunt & Roskell, as he was invalided home early.
Confirmed on the medal roll and service papers. With copy service papers.
Charles was born circa 1833 in Frome, Somerset.
The son of Charles and Honour Butler, a local family from Frome.
He enlisted aged 20 on 8th March 1853.
Charles Butler served in the Crimean War as a Gunner and Driver with the No 1 Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Aritllery.
Having taken part in the Battle of Alma, his medal roll notes: “Sick at Scutari”, which would explain the unusual single clasp.
Charles was discharged whilst in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 23rd November 1864, in consequence of “Ill health and being unfit for further service.”
He had served 11 years, 250 days with 3 years 11 month overseas which consisted of:
“Turkey (Varna) and Crimea, 8 Months.
Quebec, 1 Year
Nova Scotia, 2 Years 3 Months”
Upon discharge his conduct: “Has been Good”, “He is not in possession of any good conduct badges, but has the medal for the Crimea and Clasp for Alma, also the Turkish Medal.”
With his discharge he chose to return back to his home town of Frome, County Somerset.
He returned back to the family home, shown on the 1871 census living there with his parents now in there late 70s in Butts Newington, Frome.
Having finally gotten around to marrying Charlotte Watts in mid 1871, a local Dressmaker from Frome, the 1881 Census shows him living with her in Keyford Place, Frome where he worked as a Plasterer and Tiler.
Charles died in Frome, during April 1884.
