The son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Butler living at 197 King St. East, Chatham, ON. in 1944. He had three brothers serving: James Milford ‘Bud’ – DOW, Privates Ivan and Milton.  The husband of Reta who was living at 177 Wellington St. East. in January, 1944. The father of a baby born just before he went overs seas. Prior to his enlistment Lawrence was employed by the Hadley Company.

Served in Canada for a time, then transferred to the R.C.R’s and went overseas. 

Lawrence served with the Kent Regt. when they mobilized in July of 1941. He transferred to the RCR 7/01/43 for overseas duty. He was serving in Italy with the RCR when he was reported missing in action 24/12/43.  He was actually a POW and was in a camp in Germany for nine months before being liberated.

It was later known that Lawrence had suffered shrapnel wounds in the head when he was taken POW.

Photo of three brothers: Charles Ivan (WIA), James Milford (KIA) and Lawrence Orval (POW). 

The CDN 13/09/44 reported that Mrs. Reta Butler of 177 Wellington St. had received word that her husband Pte. l. O. Butler who had been a POW in Germany is being repatriated and will be returning to Canada. He was to be in the next exchange of prisoners of war.

The CDN 19/09/44 reported that former POW Butler was then in England aboard the ship Gripsholm, his journey home was beginning.

Discharged December 24th, 1944.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

IODE(P), KRA

Birthplace	Bothwell, Ontario
Religion	Anglican
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	July 8th, 1940
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Reta Butler

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