Distinguished Service Order : Captain A G Butler, Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF

Distinguished Service Order (Geo V). Unnamed as issued.

Associated with the First World War service of Colonel Arthur Graham 'Bertie' Butler. Before the war Butler was employed as a medical practitioner and joined the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1912, becoming medical officer of the Moreton Regiment. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as a captain on 20 August 1914 and was appointed a regimental medical officer attached to the 9th Battalion. The Battalion sailed for Egypt in September and as part of the 3rd Brigade, was first ashore at Gallipoli at 4:30 am on 25 April 1915. Butler climbed the cliffs with the leading wave and set up his aid-post between 400 Plateau and Bolton's Ridge. It was later said of Butler that, 'from the time that he stepped out on the beach dressed like a veritable Christmas tree & until several days afterwards when he was on the point of collapse from sheer exhaustion & his energy, bravery and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all'.

On 3 June 1915, at 43 years of age Butler was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He was the only medical officer to be awarded the Order at Gallipoli, where he remained until October. The citation reads, 'during operations in the neighbourhood of Gaba Tepe on 25th April, 1915, and subsequent dates, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attending wounded under heavy fire, continuously displaying courage of a high order'. He also received a Mention in Despatches on 5 August and was promoted to major on 5 October.

Butler later served in France, where he was promoted lieutenant colonel on 20 November 1916, and Flanders in 1917. It was here that he was mentioned in despatches on 4 January and 28 December. After the Third battle of Ypres from 31 July 1917 to 10 November 1917, Butler was sent to London to work with the war records section and helped to collate the medical records of the A.I.F. In July 1918 he was promoted to temporary colonel while he commanded the 3rd Australian General Hospital at Abbeville until it closed in June 1919. Before returning home he spent another six months at the Australian War Records Section and was promoted to colonel on 1 November 1919. Butler was demobilised in February 1920 and resumed private practice in Brisbane.

• 1914-15 Star : Colonel A G Butler, Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF
• British War Medal 1914-20 : Colonel A G Butler, Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF
• Victory Medal with MID : Colonel A G Butler, Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF
• Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration : Colonel A G Butler, Australian Army Medical Corps, AIF