Archie’s injuries were too serious for him to return to the front and he was de-mobbed. Later that year Archie and Charlotte were reunited and three years later Charlotte gave birth to another baby boy, who they named David Bertram Butler.
David’s younger brother, Michael, joined the newly formed RAF Regiment, on the 10th of November 1918. The next day the war came to an end with the signing of the armistice.
Chapter 13
David Bertram Butler stepped away from his mother, so that his father, Archie, could be with his wife to pay their final respects at the graveside.
He was buried alongside his comrades, sixteen officers and three hundred and thirty-four men from other ranks, all of whom perished in Trench 31.
Charlotte and Archie held each other tightly, united in their grief. They both shed fresh tears when Charlotte opened the precious silver locket, which had, for the last fifty years, held a picture of a brave soldier, her brother, David Manning.
Epilogue
Bertram’s body was never found but his personal documents were returned to his parents via a German soldier, who kindly handed them over to the British Military. Below is a transcript of the letter written by my Great Grandmother, thanking the officers who called on her at home to deliver them.
Hillside
Chaddesden Park Road
Derby
Dear Sir,
I wish to express my very best thanks to you and to your brother for calling on me Tuesday last with news of my son, who has been missing since 1916. The unexpected nature of your visit took me completely by surprise and I am afraid I did not thank you as much as I wish for the trouble you have taken. It is very good of you to do so much, and I wonder if it is possible to get into communication with the German to whom my son handed his papers, etc.
If so, can you give me the name and address of this man, as I should very much like to communicate with him and thank him for carrying my son out of the trench, and also to see if it is possible to obtain any further information regarding place of death and burial.
My Great Grandmother never received a reply to her letter and she died not knowing where her son’s final resting place was. Bertram’s name, along with so many others is inscribed on the Menin Gate.
Additional information.
The plan to retake the Bluff and Trench 31 started on the 29th of February 1916. All troops were equipped with the new steel helmets but the severe bad weather forced a change of plan. The bombardment eventually began on the 1st of March. By ten past five that morning, the infantry had captured all objectives. Counter attacks were made by the enemy, but the attacks were beaten off by British bombs. British casualties incurred during the recapture of the position amounted to 1,622.
In 1917 the order was given for twenty mines to be placed under German front lines positioned in Messines. It took nearly six months to complete and more than eight thousand metres of tunnels were dug. Six hundred tons of explosives exploded simultaneously at ten past three on the morning of the 7th of June, killing around 10,000 soldiers. The blast was so powerful it could be heard as far away as London.
On the 4th of August 1914 Britain and much of Europe were pulled into a war which would last 1,566 days, cost 8,528,831 lives and 28,938,073 casualties or missing on both sides.
The Sherwood Foresters Regiment raised thirty-three Battalions and was awarded fifty-seven Battle honours and nine Victoria Crosses, losing 11,410 men during the course of the war.
Lest we forget
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Copyright
Copyright © 2018 Clive Ward/One Roof Publications
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