George Butchers

I am indebted to Derek Gay, who contributed this article.

George Frederick Butchers - born circa 1890 the son of Sussex trainer George Alexander Butchers - was apprenticed to C D Marnes in 1903 but, by 1905, he was riding over jumps with 4 winners that season.

He primarily rode over hurdles being rather stylish, and rode around 100 winners in his career.

George rode as G. F. Butchers.

In 1916 he joined the 2nd Life Guards (household battalion) as 1761 Trooper Butchers.

Before he left for the trenches he predicted to his mother, Isobel, that he wouldn't return home.

In the early part of 1917 he was in hospital for 2 weeks suffering from trench foot and by the spring he was fully back at the front. 

On May 3rd 1917 whilst fighting at Roeux a village east of Arras , he went to get help for badly wounded comrade and went missing in action.

By August 1917 his commanding officer wrote to his mother saying that her son was still missing and it was hoped he had been taken POW, going on to pay tribute to his excellent character.

Finally, in December 1917 news came through that he had been killed in his attempt to get help.

He left a widow and 2 children.

Owner Horatio Bottomley set up a fund for his family and by April 1918 it had reached £652.5s 6d with the largest subscriber being breeder and later MP Mr C T Pulley who put in £100.

George Butchers is buried in the Roeux , British Cemetery, France.