Description
An interesting WW1/2 Royal Naval Air Service, later Royal Air Force group.
1914 Star, J.7946. C. K. Butcher A.M. 1.GR. R.N.A.S.; British war and Victory medals, 313657 Sgt C. K. Butcher. F.A.F.; R.A.F. L.S.G.C (Geo V), 313657 S. M. 2. C. K. Butcher . R.A.F.; Defence medal, un named as issued. (Group mounted as worn.)
Christopher Keith Butcher was born on the 9th December 1892 in Blakeney, Gloucestershire and enlisted on the 9th December 1910 for 12 years service, serving initially as a Boy II on HMS Ganges II, followed by Victorious, Cameroon, Vivid I, Cumberland, Pembroke.
On the 1st July 1914 he is recorded as being an Air Mechanic on President II, (serving in the R.N.A.S., from 27th January 1914) he went on to qualify as Leading Mechanic.
On the 23rd June 1916, he was on seaplane 8072 when if fell into Sheerness. He sustained slight contusion of the left ankle and slight concussion.
His service papers are stamped for service in land operations.
He received his L.S.G.C. on the 6th July 1920 whilst at R.A.F. Blandford.
Before joining the service in 1908 he was charged with breaking into a warehouse and steeling various items including tyres, bicycle pumps etc, along with Arthur James Smith. Both were found not guilty.
In 1940 the London Gazette records he was serving as a Station Warden.
His Family tree on Ancestry shows that he died in June 1975 aged 82, in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
Condition – GVF+
