Private Charles Henry Butters First World War Roll of Honor, Grafton

About

The memorial is a printed paper honour roll in a timber frame, dedicated to Private Charles Henry Butters who served and died in the First World War. The honour roll is illustrated in a formal classical style with two columns supporting an arch containing a quote from the Odes by the Roman poet Horace. A photograph of Charles Henry Butters is centred within a wreath at the top of the honour roll, with banners on either side inscribed with the names of the areas in which he served. The centre of the memorial features the dedication written in gold within a black shield, which is flanked by the Union Jack and Australian flags. The figure of Britannia is shown at the right of the illustration holding a lowered Australian flag before a tomb.  Charles, a farmer from Coutt's Crossing, South Grafton, enlisted as a Private in the 27th Battalion, 4 Reinforcement on 20 August 1915, at age 27. His unit embarked from Brisbane on 18 September 1915 and he was killed in action on 21 August 1916 at Pozieres in the Somme Sector in France.  The honour roll was the work of Tom Ferry, a popular artist, illustrator, and printmaker of the period. He was a member of the Australian Arts Club, and his artwork featured in Australian newspapers of the time particularly in advertisements and sporting publications (The Sun, 11 June 1919). The honour roll was commissioned by Charles' parents, William and Charlotte Butters, and his brother, and was probably unveiled at the family residence in South Grafton. It is now on display at the Schaeffer House Museum.

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