Second Lieutenant Harry A. Butters - "An American Citizen"

Born in San Francisco in 1892, Harry grew up in a wealthy American family. As a teenager, he spent time studying at Beaumont College in Old Windsor, England, before returning to the United States. He inherited his father’s estates and business interests and could have lived a comfortable life in California. But when the First World War began, Harry made a very different choice. In early 1915, aged just 22, he travelled across the Atlantic to Britain and joined the British Army. The United States was still neutral, meaning Harry had no national duty to fight. He went because he believed it was the right thing to do. Harry became an officer in the Royal Field Artillery and travelled to France. He served during the Battle of Loos in 1915 and remained on the Western Front through months of shelling and trench warfare.

In 1916, the strain began to take its toll. After coming under heavy shellfire, Harry suffered what was then called “shell shock”. He was sent away to recover, and doctors advised him to rest. Winston Churchill, whom Harry had met while they were both serving in France, also encouraged him not to return too quickly. On 20 August 1916, perhaps aware of the dangers ahead, he wrote to an army chaplain with an unusual request. If he was killed, Harry wanted the cross over his grave to record one simple fact: that he was an American. Two days later, he was ordered forward to replace another casualty. Harry wrote home that it was difficult, but added that it was “surely what I’m here for, after all.” On the night of 31 August 1916, Harry was serving with his guns during the Battle of the Somme when his position was struck by German shellfire. He was killed instantly. He was 24 years old.

At his funeral, his comrades wanted to honour both countries Harry had come to represent. Unable to find an American flag, they covered his coffin with the Union Jack. Today, Harry lies in Méaulte Military Cemetery in France, cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His headstone carries the words he had wanted remembered: “AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.”