Henry Butcher EM

b. ? d. ?

DATE OF EM ACTION: 05/10/1917 Chilwell, Nottinghamshire.

Very little is known about Henry “Harry” Butcher, a fireman, at the Munitions Factory at Chilwell, Nottinghamshire. He was involved in the explosion on 5th October 1917 bravely putting out the fire which occured in the Melt House.

 

EM CITATION:

 

On the 5th October, 1917, an accident occurred at the ‘National Shell Filling Factory. A large shell exploded in the Melt House, killing two men and filling the place with thick smoke. At the time of the explosion more than 4,000 filled shells were in the Melt House, and several trucks of shells caught fire. Regardless of the great danger to which they were exposed, the men, whose names are given above, seized extinguishers, and, rushing through the smoke, played them on the fire, and, with the help of other men, the fire was put out. By their presence of mind and courage these men probably averted a great disaster.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD. SOLD AT DNW IN FEB 2015 FOR £3,300.