Apr 5, 1894
|
Born in Brigus, Newfoundland to William and
Lavinia (nee Holmes) Butler
|
Jan 29, 1918
|
Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act)
of 1917 held at Vancouver, British Columbia
|
Feb 25, 1918
|
Conscripted into the 1st Depot
Battalion, BCR (British Columbia Regiment) under the MSA in Vancouver,
British Columbia
Ø Number 2021841
Ø Next of kin given as Donald
John Butler, brother, 1150 Venables St., Vancouver, British Columbia
Ø Previous occupation given as
Miner
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Methodist
Ø Posted to the regiment’s 11th
Draft
On being sworn in, he gave his birth date as
April 15, 1895, not his actual birth date of April 5, 1894
|
May 15, 1918
|
The 11th Regimental Draft embarked the
SS Ajana in Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
May 27, 1918
|
Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded
to Seaford where the draft was absorbed into the 1st Reserve
Battalion and placed in isolation to ensure none were infected with influenza
|
Jun 11, 1918
|
Released from isolation and continued training in
Seaford
|
Sep 13, 1918
|
Transferred to the 29th Battalion
|
Sep 14, 1918
|
Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France
and Taken On Strength of the 29th Battalion
|
Sep 16, 1918
|
After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC
(Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France
|
Sep 19, 1918
|
While still at the reinforcement camp, and
without having joined the 29th Battalion, he was transferred to
the 21st Battalion
|
Sep 20, 1918
|
After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private
Butler joined the 21st Battalion at the front, just west of Canal
du Nord on the Arras – Cambrai Road and was posted to “B” Company
|
Dec 13, 1918
|
The 21st Battalion led the 2nd
Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force
and proceeded to Seigburg
|
Apr 3, 1919
|
Embarked the SS Western Australia in Havre,
France
On arrival in England, he was attached to “P”
Wing in Witley pending return to Canada
|
May 14, 1919
|
Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool
|
May 22, 1919
|
Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to Kingston, Ontario by train
|
May 24, 1919
|
Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge Private
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 279779
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge 1150 Venables St., Vancouver, British Columbia
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at 1150 Venables St., Vancouver, British
Columbia
|
Jun 5, 1920
|
Married to Elizabeth “Ethel” Miller in Vancouver,
British Columbia
In 1947 he operated Butler’s General Store on Sea
Island, British Columbia. In 1961 he
was operating the Seafair Variety Store on Lulu Island. He retired in 1972
|
Aug 16, 1985
|
Ernest William Butler died while a patient of the
Richmond, British Columbia General Hospital of Acute Bronchial
Pneumonia. He was later cremated
|
|