The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal trio awarded to 10/3209 Walter James Butler, who was wounded on the Somme and later died of tuberculosis that was ascribed to his war service.

Walter James Butler was born 14th August 1893 at Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Son of Roland and Emily Mary Butler (née Wilkie). At the time of his enlistment in the NZEF in August 1915 he was working as a warehouseman at Sargood and Son, a large manufacturing and warehousing business based in Wellington. He embarked with the 8th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Battalion, arriving in Suez on 20th December 1915. he subsequently transferred to the Western Front, serving with 7th (Wellington West Coast) Company, 1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment. During the Battle of Flers–Courcelette on the Somme, Walter suffered a gunshot wound to his leg, and was evacuated to the UK. It was whilst still in the dressing station in France a cough was noted, and on further examination, following his evacuation,  he was determined to be suffering from tuberculosis. Walter was declared unfit for further service and returned to New Zealand for discharge. He married Margaret Wetherspoon Bain Edwards in 1920, but the TB caught up with him, and on 1st September 1923 Walter died in Wellington. As his deather was due to war service, the New Zealand authorities issued a Memorial Plaque and Scroll in 1930.

All three medals are correctly impressed 10/3209 PTE. W.J. BUTLER. N.Z.E.F.

Service file held at Archives New Zealand