Royal Field Artillery, ‘B’ Battery, 93rd Brigade, Service no. 34657
Son of George Butterworth and Hannah Davidson of Mount Pleasant, Kippax.
Died 2nd November 1916, aged 21, commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing, Somme France. Pier and face 1a and 8a
Gunner Butterworth worked as a miner at Allerton Bywater Colliery and afterwards at Ledston Luck. He enlisted on 7th September 1914, and went to France in June 1915. He was one of many soldiers from Kippax who died in the battle of the Somme. The battle lasted from July to November 1916.
The Captain of Stephen’s battery wrote to his parents to say “He died at his post whilst serving the gun. Death was instantaneous, and he suffered no pain. He was buried soon afterwards, and a cross is being erected on his grave. Your son had served in this battery ever since the formation of the division, and having served his King and country well, his death is regretted by officers and his comrades alike.” His parents received £8 10d from the Army after Stephen’s death. Stephen’s mother passed away the following year. Stephen Butterworth is also commemorated on the family grave in Kippax Churchyard.
Kippax Roll of Honour 