Grave E.27

A standard CWGC inscribed upright red stone grave marker.

The Isolated Burial of the American Second Lieutenant Henry A. 'Harry' Butters who was killed on the Somme while serving in the British Army Royal Field Artillery, 109th Brigade on August 31, 1916.

Harry Butters was from California, born in 1892 and studied in Britain.  He enlisted into the British Army and served in several battles.  Reported to have met Winton Churchill who later wrote about this encounter.

Before Harry was killed he spoke to a Chaplain and said he wanted a Roman Catholic Chaplain to bury him and his cross to have written on it, simply, An American Citizen.

His headstone bears the inscription; "An American Citizen."

From the CWGC: Son of Henry Augustus Butters and his wife Lucy Woodworth Beebee. Born at San Francisco, U.S.A. See "Harry Butters, R.F.A. "An American Citizen" published by John Lane Company, New York and London (1918).

Source of information and photos:  CWGC;  Find a Grave; and, https://www.ww1cemeteries.com

SECOND LIEUTENANT

HARRY A. BUTTERS

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY

31st AUGUST 1916  AGE 24

AN AMERICAN CITIZEN