Burnleys Great War Centenary

Sponsored by: Mark Horsfall, his Great Grandson

John was the under-manager at Clifton Colliery and was married with four children, he was a long standing member of the Volunteers (the forerunners of the Territorial Army). At the outbreak of war he asked to join the 5th East Lancashire Territorials, (previously the 2nd Volunteer Battalion East Lancashires). He was sent to Egypt with the Battalion and after a spell in hospital was sent to Gallipoli. A few weeks before his death he was promoted to Corporal. He had been connected with Holy Trinity all his life and a memorial service was held for him on the 1st of September 1915, with an address by Mr Fred Grant J.P.

COLLIERY MANAGER KILLED
ANOTHER DARDANELLES FATALITY (Burnley Express 1/9/1915)

News has come through that Corpl. John Butterworth (2329), of “B” Company of the 5th Batt. East Lancashires (T.F.), was killed in action at the Dardanelles on August 13th. An old and enthusiastic Volunteer, he became a member of the Veteran Reserve, and on the outbreak of war he asked to be transferred to his old Battalion, the 2nd V.B. East Lancashires- now the 5th East Lancashire Territorials. On August 31st he joined the battalion, went in September to Bury and thence was sent to Egypt. He had been in hospital during the summer, but had recovered and gone with his battalion to the Dardanelles. Only a few weeks ago he was raised to the rank of corporal. At home he occupied the responsible position of under-manager at Clifton Colliery. He resided at 24, Faraday-street and leaves a wife and four children. He was in his thirty-ninth year. All his life he had been associated with Holy Trinity Church, where a memorial service – with an address by Mr. Fred Grant J.P. – is to be held this evening.

LIFE IN MIDST OF DEATH
IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BURNLEY SOLDIER (BURNLEY NEWS SEPTEMBER 1915)

A touching and impressive memorial service for the late Corporal John Butterworth was held in Holy Trinity Church, Burnley, on Wednesday night. The body of the church was well filled, and amongst those present was the widow and four children of the deceased, and his mother and brothers. Clifton Colliery, where he was formerly under-manager was represented. The lesson was read by the Rev. G.H. West (curate) and the Vicar, Rev. J.E.W. Wallis, led the prayers.
Mr. F.J.Grant, J.P., paid a fine tribute to the deceased soldier. He stated that in the letter sent by the Sergeant of the platoon to which John Butterworth belonged, the words, " In the midst of life we are in death" were used. Never had these words a greater import than in the strain and danger of battle, with its clash and clamour. Their service that night had two aspects. first, it was a thanksgiving for a life so full, so strong, so fruitful of service. And then it was a memorial to treasure his name and the wealth of his character. In classic ground he lay, in country associated with war before the authentic rise of history. He who slept there was no ordinary man. He thought of him as a bright lad of Sandygate Sunday School, and as a choir boy, then a young man at Mitre-street Sunday School, where he was successively, teacher, secretary, and superintendent. As an official sidesman of Holy Trinity Church he was always reverent, thoughtful, and helpful. He (Mr. Grant) thought of the whole hearted way he threw himself into the work of the school long after midnight. Few members were more regular in their attendance at church. he thought that night, too, of another man, who had been connected with Holy trinity Parish, a diligent student, brilliant in science, a man of rare promise, who gave up his position at the call of duty sounded by war. He referred to the late Captain Edward Dickinson. They were both alike in their private characters and in their devotion to the church. John Butterworthwas an intelligent, observant man. He had risen to a lucrative position and could have urged many reasons why he should have remained at home. But the call of duty was imperative, and he responded to it. The best side of a man's character was seen in his conduct at home, and here John Butterworth revealed those chivalrous traits which marked the attentive, devoted husband and father. They prayed that God would sustain those that had been bereaved.