American soldier fighting for England during World War One. Known as the soldier who, if he was killed, wanted on his cross only three words; An American Citizen. Well educated both in both America and England, where he made many friends, Harry insisted when the war started he must go fight for England, where he had so many friends. He was a very tall man, six feet two inches, an excellent rider and distinguished himself so well during the war, Winston Churchill invited him for dinner in his bunker in April, 1916. His end came when Harry and another officer were in a dugout at the gun positions. The Germans were shooting a heavy barrage of gas shells and the air became very poisonous and oppressive. Harry said, "it's time we move out of this" and went out. Immediately as he went out, a gas shell hit him with a direct hit. Death was immediate and the officer with him removed his gas helmet to make sure. Among many others who respected this American boy fighting for England, Winston Churchill wrote an article about him for the London newspapers after Harry died. Before Harry was killed he spoke to a Chaplain and said he wanted a Roman Catholic Chaplain to bury him and his cross to have written on it, simply, An American Citizen. In a military cemetery about five hundred yards south of Meaulte, a little south of Albert, he was buried in a coffin, with a Union Jack flag. They tried to find an American flag, but could not. They felt he should be honored by both countries for his bravery and loyalty for the cause of freedom. There were as many officers at the funeral who could be spared from duty, including the Staff Captain, representing the General, and Colonel Talbor and a detachment from his battery and another section of soldiers. A trumpet played the sad farewell. Harry's grandfather was Samuel Woodworth of Massachusetts, author of The Old Wooden Bucket, such a famous American song.
New information graciously sent to me from John Meeks:
Excerpt from Martin Gilbert's The Churchill Documents Volume 7 'The Escaped Scapegoat' July 15-December 1915, (page 1490, 1972)
"I visited the high ground to our left a few days ago & found a jolly young artillery officer -- a pure Yank -- unnaturalised, unsworn but as he explained -- 'just as faithful.' '
Yes Sir' he said, 'I was at Loos. That was the first time I had the opportunity of studying the staff work of the British Army. To which I replied 'Canada!' & he answered 'A Little South of it, San Francisco.' Fancy how small the world is, he was a friend of Garvin's, & had he not got his commission in the artillery, Garvin had promised to introduce him to me.
'I just lied to 'em & said I was British born.' His name is Butters. He is coming to dinner tonight. There were we three Archie, me & Butters -- 2 half breeds 2 & a total Yank all in one artillery dug out! He has not got very strong views about the war -- but is fond of killing Germans as a pastime. Perhaps however I shall find I have done him less than justice about the war."
Henry Augustus Butters, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, killed in action on 31 August 1916.
New information graciously sent to me from John Meeks:
Excerpt from Martin Gilbert's The Churchill Documents Volume 7 'The Escaped Scapegoat' July 15-December 1915, (page 1490, 1972)
"I visited the high ground to our left a few days ago & found a jolly young artillery officer -- a pure Yank -- unnaturalised, unsworn but as he explained -- 'just as faithful.' '
Yes Sir' he said, 'I was at Loos. That was the first time I had the opportunity of studying the staff work of the British Army. To which I replied 'Canada!' & he answered 'A Little South of it, San Francisco.' Fancy how small the world is, he was a friend of Garvin's, & had he not got his commission in the artillery, Garvin had promised to introduce him to me.
'I just lied to 'em & said I was British born.' His name is Butters. He is coming to dinner tonight. There were we three Archie, me & Butters -- 2 half breeds 2 & a total Yank all in one artillery dug out! He has not got very strong views about the war -- but is fond of killing Germans as a pastime. Perhaps however I shall find I have done him less than justice about the war."
Henry Augustus Butters, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, killed in action on 31 August 1916.
American soldier fighting for England during World War One. Known as the soldier who, if he was killed, wanted on his cross only three words; An American Citizen. Well educated both in both America and England, where he made many friends, Harry insisted when the war started he must go fight for England, where he had so many friends. He was a very tall man, six feet two inches, an excellent rider and distinguished himself so well during the war, Winston Churchill invited him for dinner in his bunker in April, 1916. His end came when Harry and another officer were in a dugout at the gun positions. The Germans were shooting a heavy barrage of gas shells and the air became very poisonous and oppressive. Harry said, "it's time we move out of this" and went out. Immediately as he went out, a gas shell hit him with a direct hit. Death was immediate and the officer with him removed his gas helmet to make sure. Among many others who respected this American boy fighting for England, Winston Churchill wrote an article about him for the London newspapers after Harry died. Before Harry was killed he spoke to a Chaplain and said he wanted a Roman Catholic Chaplain to bury him and his cross to have written on it, simply, An American Citizen. In a military cemetery about five hundred yards south of Meaulte, a little south of Albert, he was buried in a coffin, with a Union Jack flag. They tried to find an American flag, but could not. They felt he should be honored by both countries for his bravery and loyalty for the cause of freedom. There were as many officers at the funeral who could be spared from duty, including the Staff Captain, representing the General, and Colonel Talbor and a detachment from his battery and another section of soldiers. A trumpet played the sad farewell. Harry's grandfather was Samuel Woodworth of Massachusetts, author of The Old Wooden Bucket, such a famous American song.
New information graciously sent to me from John Meeks:
Excerpt from Martin Gilbert's The Churchill Documents Volume 7 'The Escaped Scapegoat' July 15-December 1915, (page 1490, 1972)
"I visited the high ground to our left a few days ago & found a jolly young artillery officer -- a pure Yank -- unnaturalised, unsworn but as he explained -- 'just as faithful.' '
Yes Sir' he said, 'I was at Loos. That was the first time I had the opportunity of studying the staff work of the British Army. To which I replied 'Canada!' & he answered 'A Little South of it, San Francisco.' Fancy how small the world is, he was a friend of Garvin's, & had he not got his commission in the artillery, Garvin had promised to introduce him to me.
'I just lied to 'em & said I was British born.' His name is Butters. He is coming to dinner tonight. There were we three Archie, me & Butters -- 2 half breeds 2 & a total Yank all in one artillery dug out! He has not got very strong views about the war -- but is fond of killing Germans as a pastime. Perhaps however I shall find I have done him less than justice about the war."
Henry Augustus Butters, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, killed in action on 31 August 1916.
New information graciously sent to me from John Meeks:
Excerpt from Martin Gilbert's The Churchill Documents Volume 7 'The Escaped Scapegoat' July 15-December 1915, (page 1490, 1972)
"I visited the high ground to our left a few days ago & found a jolly young artillery officer -- a pure Yank -- unnaturalised, unsworn but as he explained -- 'just as faithful.' '
Yes Sir' he said, 'I was at Loos. That was the first time I had the opportunity of studying the staff work of the British Army. To which I replied 'Canada!' & he answered 'A Little South of it, San Francisco.' Fancy how small the world is, he was a friend of Garvin's, & had he not got his commission in the artillery, Garvin had promised to introduce him to me.
'I just lied to 'em & said I was British born.' His name is Butters. He is coming to dinner tonight. There were we three Archie, me & Butters -- 2 half breeds 2 & a total Yank all in one artillery dug out! He has not got very strong views about the war -- but is fond of killing Germans as a pastime. Perhaps however I shall find I have done him less than justice about the war."
Henry Augustus Butters, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, killed in action on 31 August 1916.
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