Alfie Butler

Hi,

I have been sorting out my grandmothers room and came across a letter from and some photos of her cousin who serves in the RAF during world war 2 and did not come home. Other than what the letter says my nan remembers very little about him, however I would like to know more so have been trying to search the Internet and databases in an effort to find out about him.

Thus far I have discovered that he was born in India in 1924 to Alfred and Sarah Elizabeth Butler. He joined the RAF volunteer reserves in 1941 and served in Rhodesia at some point before 1945 and as of January 1945 he was a flight sergeant stationed at RAF Fayid in Egypt (this is when he sent his letter, he talks of how hard it was in Rhodesia which I am curious about and will research). The next information I have is that he died on the 3rd May 1945 and is buried in Kirkee war cemetery in Pune (Poona), India.

I would like to know where he died and, if possible, what happened. If I could find out his squadron and what planes he flew that would also be amazing. If anyone could help me out or point me in the right direction that would be much appreciated.

I am also curious as to why he would have been buried in Pune. This is mainly because I have actually traveled to Pune a number of times and am getting married to a girl from Pune in January. After locating the cemetery in which he is buried I realised that I stayed about 10 minutes away when I was out there in September! I would like to know more about him for when I go to visit his grave in January.

 

Hi,

I have been sorting out my grandmothers room and came across a letter from and some photos of her cousin who serves in the RAF during world war 2 and did not come home. Other than what the letter says my nan remembers very little about him, however I would like to know more so have been trying to search the Internet and databases in an effort to find out about him.

Thus far I have discovered that he was born in India in 1924 to Alfred and Sarah Elizabeth Butler. He joined the RAF volunteer reserves in 1941 and served in Rhodesia at some point before 1945. As of January 1945 he was a flight sergeant stationed at RAF Fayid in Egypt (this is when he sent his letter, he talks of how hard it was in Rhodesia which I am curious about and will research). His service number is 1805516. The next information I have is that he died on the 3rd May 1945 and is buried in Kirkee war cemetery in Pune (Poona), India.

I would like to know where he died and, if possible, what happened. If I could find out his squadron and what planes he flew that would also be amazing. If anyone could help me out or point me in the right direction that would be much appreciated.

I am also curious as to why he would have been buried in Pune. This is mainly because I have actually traveled to Pune a number of times and am getting married to a girl from Pune in January. After locating the cemetery in which he is buried I realised that I stayed about 10 minutes away when I was out there in September! I would like to know more about him for when I go to visit his grave in January.

 

His service number was 1805516

 

Hello Terry
service records link below
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records


BUTLER, ALFRED CHARLES WILLIAM

Rank:

Sergeant

Trade:

Pilot

Service No:

1805516

Date of Death:

03/05/1945

Age:

21

Regiment/Service:

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Grave Reference:

9. G. 1.

Cemetery:

KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY

Additional Information:

Son of Alfred and Sarah Elizabeth Butler, of Southampton.http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2189947/





regards

Clive

 

Sgt Butler is listed in 'Flight' dated 20 December 1945 as Killed On Active Service.