A Small Series of Medals for the Ashantee Campaign (1873-74)

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (Capt. F. L. B. Butler, 1st W.I. Regt., 1873-4) extremely fine £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Series of Medals for the Ashantee Campaign (1873-74).

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Francis Le Breton Butler, who was born in Jersey in May 1840, was originally commissioned into the 14th Foot as an Ensign in April 1858. He subsequently obtained a Captaincy by purchase, was appointed Adjutant to the 2nd Battalion in June 1864, while stationed in New Zealand, and transferred to the 1st Battalion a year or two later. During his stint of service in New Zealand, between September 1860 and March 1866, Butler, in company with two other Officers, was wounded in an engagement with the rebels on 24 August 1864.

Transferring to the West India Regiment, he next witnessed active service with the 1st Battalion in the Ashantee War 1874-74, and would appear to have been noted for good work in assisting to raise a Native Corps. Brackenbury refers to a Captain Butler on at least one occasion in his Narrative of the Ashantee War:

‘Already, before the attack on Abrakrampa, Captain Butler had been sent to the king and queen of Western Akim to endeavour to collect the fighting men of the tribe, and bring them towards Prahsu, so as to cut off the retreat of the Ashantis in that direction ...’

Butler died at Lucerne on 10 July 1874, very probably as a result of malaria or some other tropical disease.

Note
The Ashantee Medal roll confirms Butler’s no clasp award for services on attachment to the Transport Corps, so he may not be the Captain Butler referred to by Brackenbury; worthy of further research.