O'Brien-Butler, Charles

CHARLES PAGET O'BRIEN-BUTLER "PIERY".

Article by Derek Gay

Charles, whose catholic family had a military background, was born in 1881. His father had been a major in the 60th Foot

He attended Belvedere College and qualified as a doctor before joining the Army Medical Corps in 1907.

A good amateur jockey, he rode in Ireland and was champion amateur in 1906 with 31 wins.

He too, like his brother Pierce, enjoyed the odd game of rugby

From 1909-13 he went with his company to India, before returning home and resuming his riding career.

At the outbreak of war, he went to France with the 5th Battalion Irish Lancers as their chief medical officer. On 12 October, 1914, they took possession, after heavy fighting, of a Trappist Abbey which earlier had been taken by the Germans.

The story goes that he treated Prince Maximilian von Hesse (a great-grandson of Queen Victoria) for serious injuries at the front and was given a gold watch by the Prince (who was related to Kaiser Wilhlem). The Prince died shortly afterwards.

Whilst crossing open ground to tend to a wounded comrade on 31st October, 1914, Charles was killed by shellfire. He was 33.

He was later was mentioned in despatches.

Captain Paget O'Brien Butler is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Grave: B 17) (right)

After the war, the gold watch was found on his body as he was being buried. It was returned to the Hesse Royal Family.

Charles's brother Pierce, the eldest of three and just 1.67m tall, was nonetheless an International rugby fullback for Ireland. He played his last International on 10th February, 1900, then set sail with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers to take part in the Boer War. Transferred into the Army Service Corps, he was promoted to Lieutenant in November 1901. Sadly, a few months later, he fell ill with dysentery, and died as a consequence on 15 January, 1902. He was 24.

Charles also lost another brother, Capel, at Messines in 1917.