John Fitzhardinge Paul Butler

John Fitzhardinge Paul Butler (20 December 1888 – 5 September 1916) was a British Army officer during the First World War and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Background Butler was born in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, on 20 December 1888 to Lieutenant Colonel Francis John Paul Butler and the Hon. Elspeth Butler (née Gifford), daughter of Robert Gifford, 2nd Baron Gifford. Butler was thus the nephew of fellow Victoria Cross recipient Edric Gifford, 3rd Baron Gifford.

He was married, to Alice Amelia of Portfield, Chichester. In October 1913 he was seconded for service under the Colonial Office, and attached to the Gold Coast Regiment.

Butler was a 25 year old lieutenant in The King's Royal Rifle Corps, attached to Pioneer Company, Gold Coast Regiment, West African Frontier Force, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 17 November 1914 in the Cameroons, Nigeria.

Citation

The following year he was promoted captain and awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Posted to German East Africa with his Regiment,

Medal His medal is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum in Winchester.