Maj B D Butler MC, No. 3 Commando

Hello all,

Can anyone help me with any information, or point me towards some, on Maj Brian Butler MC, OC of 4 Troop, No. 3 Cdo?

Maj Butler was an Old Boy of my school and, like me, had a lot of involvement with the school's cadet force. I am taking a tour group of cadets to Normandy in May and would very much like to pay our respects to Maj Butler's memory.

I know he is buried in Ranville, and I know the circumstances of his death; what I am particularly interested in is anything to help retrace No. 3 Cdo's attack on the Merville Battery on 7 June, in which Maj Butler played a significant part.

That said, anything about him at all will be gratefully received!

Thanks in advance for your help.

This message was edited 7 times. Last update was at 23/03/2010 17:23:45

Welcome to the CVA

In the book Storm from the Sea by Brig. Peter Young DSO MC ** a chapter is dedicated to the assault on the Merville battery. Brian Butler, whom I believe was a Captain in 4 troop and took over command when Major Pooley was killed, is mentioned. Sadly Brian Butler was killed on the 11th June, the very day he was promoted to Major. He is also mentioned in the book Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brigadier John Durnford Slater. It is interesting there that the author says he had posted 3 of his finest officers to the CBTC Achnacarry prior to the D Day landings. He says " I was determined that those Commandos who had in previous operations taken the most consistent risks should be placed in safer employment. None would hear of it but by issuing a direct order, I had George Herbert, John Pooley, and Brian Butler, posted to our depot at Achnacarry". However due to their constant stream of messages "each more full of misery than the last" he permitted them to rejoin for the landings. Sadly all 3 were subsequently killed in action. You have probably found these references to Major Butler MC on our site already but if not, check these links to our galleries:
War Graves album for Ranville:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+War+Graves+Memorials+and+Plaques/graves/RANVILLE+War+Cemetery/3+cdo+graves/B_+BUTLER.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

No.3 Commando Officers Limehouse:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/No_3+Cdo_.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

As a result of your inquiry I have also found him in this photo of
No.3 Commando 4 troop Limehouse ( he is back row extreme left)
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/trp+photos/4+trp/4+troop/3_Commando+4+Troop+1944+without+numbers.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

I have cropped his picture from this photo and will add it to the No.3 Cdo In Remembrance album in due course

I hope this is of some help and wish you well on your trip. If you have access to any other photos of Major Butler MC please consider allowing the CVA to post them on our site as a tribute to this gallant Commando Officer

Regards

Pete

Pete,

Great - thanks for the quotes from Brig Durnford Slater's book; just the kind of thing I'm after to paint a picture of a man who should be an inspiration to my guys.

Photo and details now placed in the No.3 Commando "In Remembrance" album. Here is the link to that entry:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/3+cdo+fallen/Brian+Butler+MC.jpg.html

Capt. YOUNG

I sent to you a private e-mail. Maybe I could help you.

sincerely

stéphane

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war_3cdo.htm

The official source.