BUTLER, Ronald Herbert
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Rank:
Lance Sergeant
Unit / Base:
1 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Royal Norfolk Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
5774300
P.O.W. number:
2583
P.O.W. camps:
Honours & Awards:
Operations:
Lance Sergeant Ronald Butler was awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished services during Operation Chariot, the raid on St. Nazaire. He was one of the Commando contingent on board HMS Campbeltown and was a prisoner of war after the raid.
Recommendation
"On 28 March 1942 during the Commando raid at St Nazaire France.
L/Sgt Butler was a member of a demolition party whose task it was to destroy the Pumping Station. Immediately on landing some of this NCO's party were wounded. Despite the fact that all the time the party was under intense enemy fire, Sgt Butler disregarded his own personal safety and assisted the wounded members of the party to proceed to their objective.
On arrival at the Pumping Station he managed, in the short time available, not only to complete his task, but also that of another wounded NCO who was unable to work.
In the ensuing street fighting L/Sgt Butler's cool bravery in overcoming by his own personal initiative many of the enemy pockets of resistance inspired many, though wounded, to continue the fight.
Throughout the entire action his courage and cheerfulness were a great example to all. His untiring energy and devotion to duty were outstanding, and his own personal action in no small way assisted the eventual success of the whole operation."
The death of LSgt Butler MM of Rockland, All Saints, Norfolk, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 107 issued August 1998.
Sources
London Gazette 37162, page 3493.
Recomendations for Awards / National Archives file WO373/46/276.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/43.
Prisoners of War Records / National Archives file WO392/1.
[Image] Cropped from the photo titled 'St Nazaire Raid Commando veterans on HM Yacht Britannia April 1982' in Gallery.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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