Church St
Storrington, Pulborough RH20
UK
David Butcher
In 2014 while researching the names of the people on Storrington’s War Memorial and Roll of Honour, where David Butcher’s name appears, members of the Storrington Local History Group discovered that he did not have a Commonwealth War Grave and nor did he appear in its Book of Remembrance. He was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard in Storrington.
Surely a man with such a record of commitment deserved to be recognised nationally. The members of the group started a campaign to get him this recognition having been inspired by hearing of similar cases that had been successful.
Fortunately, David’s war records had survived and one piece of vital evidence gave impetus to the campaign: his medical records stated that his disabilities were attributable to “service during the present war”. Armed with this a submission was made and in 2018 the group heard that his name had been added to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Book of Remembrance. Then at last, late at the end of 2021, we heard from the Rector at St, Mary’s that a CWGC headstone was to be erected in the churchyard. Finally, on Thursday 5th May 2022 this was carried out – a several years long ambition achieved.
The Service will be held on 2nd April in St Mary’s Churchyard, Storrington at 12.00 p.m.
Refreshments will be available afterwards at the Museum, Old School, School Lane RH20 4LL.
Submitted to the Storrington Community Website using the Event contact form.