September 22, 2009
Hi Mac, I’d like to ask you a quick question after reading your on-line bio.
My grandfather, Harry Butler, served in the RAN from 1911 to 1952.
He was a specialist on torpedoes and gunnery and instructed on the topic at HMAS Cerberus throughout WW2 and up until his retirement.
During WW2 he was assigned to the Royal Naval College.
By any wild chance do you remember him?? I figure you may have crossed paths especially given your torpedo training.
Also, my research of his career has hit some roadblocks when researching HMAS Cerberus. It’s very confusing given there was so many different bases (one source says six). Do you know of a good source of information to clarify Cerberus service??
Thanks and regards,
Gary Butler
Newport
Vic
Gary,
The name Butler rings a bell, after I left the Royal Australian Naval College in August of 1939 to join the Fleet, I never went back to HMAS Cerberus.
It is unlikely that your Grandfather taught both torpedoes and gunnery as they are quite separate specialisations.
Here are his Naval Service Certificates, he seems to have two:
World War Two Service title
Royal Australian Navy Service badge
Chief Petty Officer
HARRY WILLIAM BUTLER
1130
Service Royal Australian Navy
Date of Birth 29 May 1892
Place of Birth COLLINGWOOD, VIC
Date of Enlistment 9 February 1911
Locality on Enlistment LAKEMBA, NSW
Home Port/Port Division MELBOURNE, VIC
Next of Kin BUTLER, ELIZABETH
Date of Discharge 15 May 1944
Posting at Discharge HMAS Cerberus
Department of Veterans' Affairs logo
World War Two Service title
Royal Australian Navy Service badge
COMMISSIONED BOATSWAIN
HARRY WILLIAM BUTLER
1130
Service Royal Australian Navy
Date of Birth 29 May 1892
Place of Birth COLLINGWOOD, VIC
Date of Enlistment 16 May 1944
Home Port/Port Division MELBOURNE, VIC
Next of Kin ELIZABETH
Date of Discharge 31 December 1952
Posting at Discharge HMAS Lonsdale
Department of Veterans' Affairs logo
Here are details to obtain Naval Service Records:
Service records are held at the following locations:
Navy
1911-1970 website National Archives of Australia WW2 section
Post 1970 postal address:
Personnel Records (RAN/RAAF)
Queanbeyan Annexe 2
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600
facsimile 02 62665851
Best Regards,
Mac.
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