John Bryan Butchard (25 March 1919 – 8 October 2023) was a Royal Navy officer known for his valor during World War II.[1][2]
Biography
editBorn in Chelmsford, Essex, he was the son of a businessman who later became the president of an American ball-bearings company.[3][4] Butchard entered Dartmouth Royal Naval College at the age of 13.[3][4]
During World War II, as a sub-lieutenant aboard HMS Volunteer, Butchard participated in operations in France and Norway in 1940.[3][4] Notably, while docked in Liverpool, he heroically rescued a crew member who fell overboard while intoxicated.[3][4]
In early 1941, he served as first lieutenant on the V-class destroyer HMS Vimy.[3][4] On September 3, 1942, Vimy engaged the German U-boat U-162, which had been responsible for sinking 14 Allied vessels.[3] The engagement led to the U-boat's destruction, earning Butchard mentions in dispatches for his "gallantry and enterprise."[3]
Further exploits included the rescue of survivors from the US merchantman West Lashaway in September 1941 and a confrontation with a wolf pack of U-boats while escorting convoy SC 118 in February 1943, resulting in heavy enemy losses but also Allied casualties.[3]
Post-war, Butchard served as a torpedo officer aboard HMS Diadem and accompanied the royal family to South Africa in 1947 aboard HMS Vanguard.[3] He retired from active service in 1949 due to partial deafness caused by prolonged exposure to gunfire.[3]
Later, Butchard joined the Naval Ordnance Inspectorate and was promoted to captain in 1974.[3][4] He took retirement in 1989.[5]
Personal life
editButchard settled in Wylye, Wiltshire, with his wife, Patricia, who was widowed from his friend Nigel Thurston killed during the Dunkirk evacuation.[3][4] The couple had a son and a stepdaughter.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ "King Charles coronation: Royal Navy veteran, 104, ready to celebrate". 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
- ^ https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2023-05-06/meet-the-man-who-has-lived-through-three-coronations-and-five-monarchs
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Bryan Butchard obituary". May 30, 2024 – via The Times.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Captain Bryan Butchard, exceptional sinker of U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic – obituary". October 30, 2023 – via The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "104-year-old Amesbury resident prepares to celebrate his third Coronation". Salisbury Journal. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2024-06-05.