Brian Butler (cricketer)

For other people named Brian Butler, see Brian Butler (disambiguation).

Brian Butler
Personal information
Full name
Brian Danvers Butler
Born18 April 1876
Swithland, Leicestershire, England
Died18 August 1916(1916-08-18) (aged 40)
Longueval, Somme, France
BattingRight-handed
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1913–1914Marylebone Cricket Club
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 2
Runs scored 42
Batting average 10.50
100s/50s –/–
Top score 29
Catches/stumpings –/–
Source: Cricinfo, 23 March 2021

Brian Danvers Butler (18 April 1876 – 18 August 1916) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

The son of the Earl of Lanesborough and his wife, Anne Elizabeth Clarke, he was born in April 1876 at Swithland Hall in Leicestershire.[1] In the early years of the 20th century, Butler played cricket for Leicestershire Second XI, though he never featured for the first XI.[2] He later moved to East Grinstead in Sussex, where he was a popular figure who played for East Grinstead Cricket Club, in addition to being a keen golfer.[3] A member of the Marylebone Cricket Club since 1909,[1] Butler made two appearances in first-class cricket for the club in 1913 and 1914, playing against Hampshire on both occasions.[4]

Butler served in the British Army during the First World War, being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps in April 1915.[1][5] He was promoted to the temporary rank of lieutenant in September 1915.[6] Butler fought on the Western Front and was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 18 August 1916.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Renshaw, Andrew (2011). Wisden on the Great War: The Lives of Cricket's Fallen 1914-1918. Vol. 2nd. Pen and Sword. p. 211. ISBN 978-1526706980.
  2. ^ "Earl of Lanesborough (John Vansittart Danvers Butler)". CricketEurope. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  3. ^ East Grinstead. West Sussex Gazette. 7 September 1916. p. 7
  4. ^ "First-Class Matches played by Brian Butler". CricketArchive. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  5. ^ "No. 29122". The London Gazette. 9 April 1915. p. 3455.
  6. ^ "No. 29506". The London Gazette. 14 March 1916. p. 2791.