Canada, Dominion. A Fine Father and Son Group, to Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Page Butler and Gunner Alan Page Butler

Item #M0369-4

$1,620

Canada, Dominion. A Fine Father and Son Group, to Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Page Butler and Gunner Alan Page Butler

Canada General Service Medal 1866-1870 (THOMAS PAGE BUTLER); and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, Victoria (LIEUT-COLONEL T.P. BUTLER, 1st. REGIMENT), in silver, maker marked "SG" (Sebastian Garrard), hallmarked with the British lion, marked with a leopard's head (made in London) and date marked "f" (1901) on the reverse. Naming is impressed on both. Un-mounted, very light contact on the CGSM, residue evident in the recessed areas from cleaning and contact marks on the CAFOD, original ribbons, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a 1st Volunteer Rifles Battalion Helmet Plate (in silver, measuring 69.7 mm (w) x 75.3 mm (h), the bottom screwpost with loop intact, the top screwpost missing); two 1st Volunteer Rifles Battalion Cap Badges (one in silver, measuring 46.5 mm (w) x 54 mm (h), intact lugs and pin; the other in white metal, measuring 47 mm (w) x 55 mm (h), missing pin, re-soldered lug); Commission Document for Thomas Page Butler (naming him to the rank of Captain with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, effective December 17, 1880, dated December 18, 1880, signed by Colonel W. Powell, Adjutant General of Militia, printed in black ink, with handwritten inscriptions in black ink, on an off-white paper stock, measuring 393 mm (w) x 253 mm (h), fold marks, tattered along the top edge); Commission Document for Captain Thomas Page Butler (naming him to the rank of Major with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, effective October 3, 1884, dated October 9, 1884, signed by the Minister of Militia and Defence, along with Colonel W. Powell, Adjutant General of Militia, printed in black ink, with handwritten inscriptions in black ink, on an off-white paper stock, measuring 431 mm (w) x 277 mm (h), fold marks); Commission Document for Major Thomas Page Butler (naming him to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, effective March 29, 1889, dated June 8, 1889, signed by the Minister of Militia and Defence, along with Colonel W. Powell, Adjutant General of Militia, printed in black ink, with handwritten inscriptions in black ink, on an off-white paper stock, measuring 397 mm (w) x 255 mm (h), fold marks); a Book Entitled "Visit of the Thirteenth Regiment to Montreal, Canada" (dated May 24th, 1879, hardcovered, front cover with the insignia of the Thirteenth Regiment, National Guard, State of New York in gold-coloured ink, prepared by the Brevet-Colonel and Major of the Regiment, Horatio C. King, with two signatures in black ink on page 1, containing 90 pages, the text and line drawings printed in black ink, on an off-white paper stock, published by Eagle Job and Book Printing Department of Brooklyn, New York in 1879, measuring 150 mm (w) x 232 mm (h) x 12 mm (d)); and three Handwritten Letters (addressed to Reverend John Butler of Kingsey, Quebec, written in black ink, faded to a sepia-toned look: first letter dated July 21, 1840 at Quebec City, four pages, measuring 185 mm (w) x 227 mm (h) folded; second letter dated October 15, 1842 at Quebec City, four pages, measuring 187 mm (w) x 225 mm (h) folded; third letter dated March 24, 1846, four pages, measuring 247 mm (w) x 200 mm (h) folded). 
 
Boer War and First War Veteran Group, to Private/Gunner Alan Page Butler Royal Canadian Dragoons/Canadian Field Artillery: 
 
Group of Four: Queen's South Africa Medal, 2 clasps - CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE (160 Pte A. BUTLER, Rl. CANDN: DGNS:); British War Medal (1260205 GNR. A. BUTLER. C.F.A.); Victory Medal (1260205 GNR. A. BUTLER. C.F.A.); and King George V and Queen Mary Silver Jubilee Medal 1910-1935. Naming is officially impressed on the three campaign medals, the JM un-named as issued and in its box of issue, with "A.P.B. Williams" handwritten on the bottom. Un-mounted, dark patina on the BWM, edge nicks on the QSA, bruising on the VM, light contact, original ribbons, very fine. Accompanied by a 52nd Infantry Battalion "New Ontario Regiment" Collar Tab (in pickled copper, measuring 28 mm (w) x 30.2 mm (h), intact lugs and pin); a Canadian Expeditionary Force for Service at the Front Badge (in bronze with red, white and blue enamels, measuring 22.2 mm in diameter, screwback); his Northwest Territories Commissioner's Appointment Document (named to Alan Page Butler, from William Wallace Cory, C.M.G., Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, naming Page as a Commissioner for taking Affidavits for the NWT, dated July 29, 1927, printed in black and red inks, with large red embossed seal of the Northwest Territories at the lower left, measuring 328 mm (w) x 228 mm (h), tears in the upper two corners, lightly soiled); a Lord Strathcona Trust Medal for General Efficiency (in bronze, measuring 34 mm in diameter); a Cigarette Case (in silver, initials engraved within an ornate frame on the front cover, partial maker mark, hallmarked with the British lion, marked with an anchor (made in Birmingham) and date marked "0" (1913) on the inside front cover, hallmarked with the British lion and date marked "0" (1913) on the inside back cover, measuring 70 mm (w) x 92.2 mm (h) x 13.7 mm (d), push release, connected to a multi-link chain via two loops affixed to the top edge); a Horse Spur (in white metal, measuring 70 mm (w) x 113 mm (h)); a Quebec Rugby Football Union (QRFU) Junior Champions 1932 Patch (in red, blue, green, white, black and light yellow embroidery, on a light blue wool base, black cotton backer, measuring 72 mm (w) x 95 mm (h), lightly soiled); and a Quebec Rugby Football Union (QRFU) Senior Champions 1937 Patch (in red, blue, green, black, light yellow and dark yellow embroidery, on a light blue wool base, white cotton mesh backer, measuring 80 mm (w) x 103 mm (h)). 
 
Footnote: 
 
Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Page Butler
 
Thomas Page Butler was born on August 3, 1845 in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, Drummond County, Quebec. Butler was promoted to the rank of Captain with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, on December 17, 1880, named Adjutant on January 13, 1881 and was promoted to the rank of Major with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, on October 3, 1884. Major Butler was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, on March 29, 1889, and succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Bond, who had retired from the command. 
 
Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was heavily involved with the publication of "The Prince of Wales Regiment and the Canadian Militia", edited by Captain Ernest J. Chambers, published by E.L. Ruddy of Montreal in 1897 and printed by N. F. & V. Guertin Printers of Montreal. A notation on the back of the cover page (page 4) states: "Entered, according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year Eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, for the Prince of Wales Regiment, by Thomas Page Butler, Lieut.-Col. commanding, at the Department of Agriculture". A letter by Lieutenant-Colonel Butler appears under the heading "The Thanks of the Commanding Officer" on page 9: "As the Officer Commanding the First or Prince of Wales Regiment I beg in this public manner to express the thanks of the Regiment to its many kind friends by whose subscriptions and assistance we have been enabled to publish this history, and at the same time to benefit our Regimental Fund, which, as all who know anything of the Volunteer System in Canada are aware, is always insufficient for ordinary Regimental expenses. The idea of publishing a history of the Corps has been in my mind for many years, and ever since I took over the command I have been waiting a convenient opportunity to carry it into effect. When, last spring, the officers of the Regiment decided to enter upon the task, we were much pleased to find that Capt. Ernest J. Chambers, who, from his long connection with the force, and his experience as correspondent of the Montreal "Star" during the North West Rebellion, was peculiarly fitted for the task, was able to undertake the duty of writing it. The public will, we feel certain, appreciate his work, and peruse its pages with pleasure and profit whether the reader is actively connected with the Volunteers or not, and will join with us in thanking him for the pains he has taken to produce a work of more than mere Regimental interest. We feel that we would be lacking in justice and gratitude did we omit at the same time to thank the publisher, Mr. E. L. Ruddy, for the conscientious care with which he has labored, and the exertions made by him in getting out what we venture to think will be acknowledged to be a work of credit to the Regiment. THOMAS PAGE BUTLER, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Prince of Wales Regiment". Also, Lieutenant-Colonel Butler's photo appears on page 21, while his son Lieutenant Alan Page Butler's photo appears on an insert between pages 36 and 37 (reference: https://electriccanadian.com/forces/princewalesreg00chamuoft.pdf). 

In addition to being awarded the Canada General Service Medal, he was a Lieutenant Colonel with the 1st Regiment when he received his Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration in 1902. Thomas Page Butler is mentioned in the Canada Gazette of Saturday, July 7, 1883, page 151, as an Advocate for the start up of a new company, the Longueuil Cotton Manufacturing Company Limited. Lieutenant-Colonel Butler was elected as the first President of the Montreal Amalgamated Rifle Association, which was organized on May 3, 1890, chiefly through the exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel, then Captain, John Hood, who commanded the 5th Battalion Royal Scots of Canada from 1891 to 1893. 
 
Private/Gunner Alan Page Butler

His son, Alan Page Butler was born in 1879 in Montreal, Quebec. He served with the 1st Battalion, Prince of Wales' Regiment in Montreal, under the command of his father, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Page Butler, who had taken over the reigns of the reginent in 1889. Alan Page Butler enlisted for South African service as a Private (160) with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, on February 1, 1900 in Montreal. Twenty-five days later, he disembarked at Cape Town on February 26th and would serve with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles in Cape Colony. By the end of the year, he returned to Canada "invalided", suffering from "Dysentery" (enteric fever) and was discharged on December 8, 1900 at Montreal. Private Butler is confirmed on the roll for the Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony and Orange Free State clasps, his medal delivered to him in Montreal on July 18, 1901. 

Fifteen years would pass before Butler would enlist for service again, this time in the First World War. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Gunner (1260205) with the Reserve Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, on April 24, 1916 at Shorncliffe, England, at the age of 37, naming his next-of-kin as Colonel Butler of the Molson Bank of Montreal, stating that he had seven years' previous service with the militia in Montreal, that he was not married, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Advertising Manager (also acknowledged in his records as Contractor). Two and a half weeks after enlisting, Butler was appointed Acting Bombardier on May 10, 1916. However, he was forced to revert to the ranks on June 17, 1916, due to drunkenness and destroying a Naval Pattern Cup which was the property of a comrade.

He was with the Canadian Field Artillery when he was called for service in the French theatre, arriving in France on July 12, 1916. Upon arrival, he was attached to the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column and arrived as a reinforcement on the 14th. After six months, he was transferred as a Gunner to the Canadian Anti-Aircraft "E" Battery, on January 14, 1917. Butler first entered hospitalization on March 19, 1917, initially treated at No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance, where he was diagnosed with "Myalgia" (muscle pain, a symptom of many diseases and disorders), then transferred and admitted to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance on the 21st, where her would remain for the next six days, before returning to duty on the 27th.

Gunner Butler would be in action with "E" Battery during the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 11, 1917 when the "Myalgia" would flare up again. By April 12th, his "back (was) stiff & sore", he walked "with a stoop" and had "pain in various joints", forcing him to be admitted to No. 18 Canadian Field Ambulance, followed by his transit via No. 1 Ambulance Train to No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance that day. After a brief stop at the Casualty Clearing Station, he was transferred and admitted to No. 14 General Hospital at Wimereux on the 13th, where the decision was made to invalid him "sick" from Boulogne to England on April 14th. Upon arrival in England, he was posted to the Canadian Artillery Regimental Depot at Shorncliffe and admitted to the 3rd Western General Hospital at Cardiff on April 15th. After five days at Cardfiff, he was transferred and admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berkshire, on April 20, 1917, for a one week stay, before being transferred and admitted to the Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital at Buxton, Derbyshire on April 27th.

His tenure at Buxton would be an extended one. In his Proceedings of a Medical Board, dated August 16, 1917 at Buxton, the physician's report went into detail regarding his "Myalgia": It was noted that Gunner Butler, his age now stated as 41, had "Enlisted April 24th, 1916. While in France on March 21st, 1917 suffered from Influenza and severe pains in (the) shoulders, back, hips and knees. Sent to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance 6 days, returned to duty 5 days, then sent to No. 12 Field Ambulance, to Base at Boulogne 2 days, then to Cardiff, Bear Wood Wokingham, then to Buxton on April 27th. On admission (he) complained of pain in back, shoulder, back of (the) neck, and knees." The subsequent treatment included warm mineral baths and undercurrent douche, followed by massage. After twelve weeks at Buxton, he was discharged from hospitalization on August 18, 1917.

Four weeks after his hospital discharge, Gunner Butler embarked Liverpool, England for Canada aboard the S.S. Metagama on September 15, 1917. In his Proceedings of a Medical Board at the Discharge Depot in Quebec City, dated October 10, 1917, and now officially diagnosed with "Neurasthenia" (mechanical weakness of the actual nerves), the attending physician summed up Butler's current state: "This soldier is very nervous and depressed. He has tremors of the whole body and has difficulty in walking. This condition developed about February 1917 and is due to service. Heart and lungs are normal, requires suggestive treatment". He was subsequently posted to the Military Hospitals Commission Command (MHCC), "A" Unit, at Military District No. 4 in Montreal as an outpatient, now being treated for "Rheumatism" (any disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue, especially rheumatoid arthritis), as well as the aforementioned "Neurasthenia".

The physician at MHCC Montreal noted that Gunner Butler had served sixteen months with the Imperials and seven months with the Canadians and that he had acquired "Rheumatism" while in the trenches, getting "a chill from exposure" in November 1916. From this time, March 15, 1917, he was in poor health but carried on. Then had an attack of fever, and was sent to hospital. Pain in hips, back, shoulders, occasional headache, which sometimes starts in (the) eyes and passes to (the) back of the head". Although he was described as a "well developed healthy looking man", the underlying issues compromised his health, the treatment including stays at a hospital and a convalescent home, massage, phototheraphy and graduated exercises. He was re-assessed by a Medical Board at MHCC in Montreal, where it was noted that he "does not require treatment and should pass under his own control" and that he was "to be examined in six months for re-adjustment of disability". The Medical Board declared him to be Class "E" (Unfit for Service in Categories A, B and C = General Service, Service Abroad and Home Service).

Gunner Alan Page Butler, Royal Canadian Artillery was discharged as being "Medically Unfit for Further Service" at No. 4 District Depot, in Montreal, on March 27, 1918, at the age of 41, credited with having served in Canada, England, France and Belgium. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Alan Page Butler died on September 17, 1956, at the age of 77 and is buried in Cimetière Mont-Royal, Outremont, Montreal Region, Quebec.