John Fitzhardinge Paul Butler (VC, DSO) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British] and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 25 years old, and a Lieutenant in The King's Royal Rifle Corps, British Army, attd. Pioneer Coy., Gold Coast Regiment, West African Frontier Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 17 November 1914 in the Cameroons, Nigeria, Lieutenant Butler with a party of 13 men went into the thick bush and attacked a force of about 100 of the enemy, including several Europeans, defeated them and captured their machinegun and many loads of ammunition. On 27 December when on patrol duty with a few men, Lieutenant Butler swam the Ekam River, which was held by the enemy, alone and in the face of brisk fire. He completed his reconnaissance on the further bank and returned to safety.

He was killed in action Motomba, on 5 September 1916.

Further information

Nephew of Lord Gifford, VC. He later achieved the rank of Captain.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum (Winchester, England).

Reference

• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.