“Decorations….I don’t believe in them. Soldiers in the front lines share a common danger. They all take the same risks. It’s mainly circumstances that determine which men are decorated and which are not. That’s why I’d just as soon we did without them.”
Sgt George Butterfield, Scout Platoon, 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders)
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Following a brief stay with the 14th Battalion, he was TOS of the 15th Battalion just prior to the battle of Mount Sorrel on 14 May 1916 and posted to the Intelligence Section where he remained for the duration of the war.
Sgt Butterfield was wounded in action twice, the last time coming late in October 1918 and it ended his war. He was awarded the DCM “for gallantry and bravery worthy of the highest commendation” as well as being Mentioned in Dispatches (Sir Douglas Haig) for his actions on 9 April 1917 during the attack on Vimy and the follow-on actions later that same month.
He was also awarded the MM for “leadership & daring worthy of the highest praise and conduct of the finest example to his men” for actions during a raid in the area of Hill 70 on 8 February 1918
Finally, Sgt Butterfield was awarded a bar to the DCM for “gallantry which cannot be too highly praised “during the battle of the Canal du Nord on 27 September 1918.
Sniping School at Pernes described him as “ a good and useful man” which given his exploits during the war, would prove to be very much an understatement.