Warrant Officer Class 2 John T Butterworth

John Thomas Butterworth was born on 12 September 1913 in Burnley, Lancashire. After leaving school he worked as a tractor driver.

He joined the Corps of Cavalry of the Line aged 24 on 11 Jan 1938, and was posted to the Queen’s Bays. Trooper Butterworth transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps in April 1939.

In May 1940 Trooper Butterworth served with the BEF in Europe, returning to the UK in June 1940. In January 1941 he married Florence Baker.

In August 1941 he was appointed Acting Corporal, and in early 1942 posted to the Airborne Light Tank Squadron.

Lance Sergeant Butterworth transferred to the 6th Airborne Armoured Recce Regt RAC in January 1944 with the rest of the Light Tank Squadron.

On 7 June 1944 War Substantive Sergeant Butterworth emplaned for Normandy for D Day. He returned to the UK in September, before embarking for the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes on 25 December.

On returning to the UK in mid-1945, he married Margaret Audrey in September. In October 1945 he was posted to the Middle East and Palestine, where he served until January 1948.

After the 6th Airborne Recce Regt was disbanded in February 1946, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Butterworth transferred to the Infantry, and was posted to the Gordon Highlanders.

He was released to the Reserves on 10 Jan 1050 after 12 years’ service with exemplary conduct.

John Butterworth died on 11 October 1979.