The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Tonym · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 224 Location: East Sussex

BUTLER, MARJORIE STEWART
Rank:
Civilian
Date of Death:
11/05/1941
Age:
41
Regiment/Service:
Civilian War Dead

Reporting Authority
WESTMINSTER CITY
Additional Information:
Ensign, American Ambulance Corps; of Whinnyloan, Craigend, Perthshire. Daughter of Albert Evans Pullar, of Durn, Perthshire; wife of Col. Richard Barry Butler, C.I.E., C.B.E., M.C. Injured 10 May 1941, at Alexandra Hotel, Knightsbridge; died at St. George's Hospital.

Would anybody have any further information on this lady please?

I have to assume that being an Ensign she was a member of FANY and drove an ambulance for the British-American Ambulance Corps and having died as a result of the bombing of the Alexandra Hotel, Knightsbridge, served in London and was on duty at the time. Alternatively she may have been visiting London and resident at the hotel.

Would also be grateful if anyone can advise if she is buried in Scotland (Perthshire) and any memorial commemorations.

Tony
_________________
Pte. W. BROWN, Middlesex Regiment, K.I.A Battle of The Somme.
Sgt. J. V. MURPHY, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, D.O.W Monte Cassino, Italy.

Tonym · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 224 Location: East Sussex

Again now that I am a legal member my research for Marjory Butler has produced the following information.

Marjory Stewart Butler (nee Pullar) was born, possibly at home, The Durn, 1 Isla Road, Kinnoull, Perthshire, Scotland at 2.pm 16th June 1899.

1901 Census records the family details as Follows:-
Albert Pullar, 36, Beatrice S. Pullar, 35
Helen M. Pullar, 9 Eva D. Pullar,
Marjory Pullar, 1 Also seven servants.
Albert Pullar was the owner of a major dyeing firm, inherited from his father suggesting that the family were financially comfortable.

At the time of compiling this profile no further information was found for Marjory until she married Colonel Richard Barry Butler, Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Army, at the Church of the Oratory, Kensington, London, 26th February 1921. From his service record, it would appear that she then spent the next seventeen years with him in India until he retired in 1938.

The records of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (PRVC) indicate that Marjory joined them on 9th August 1940. This is an independent, self funding organisation whose membership consists generally of ladies of social stature. They pay a membership fee and provide their own uniform. They have an excellent war record and currently support the Police and Military Authorities in various functions.

Her short wartime activity is, at the moment, unclear other than the fact she is recorded as serving at the Headquarters of the American Ambulance Corps in London as a British, American Ambulance Organiser.

Marjory was known to be based or resident at the Alexandra Hotel in Knightsbridge, London on the night of 10th May 1941 when it was destroyed in a German bombing raid; as a result Marjory was seriously injured and died the following day at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London. Marjory is buried in Wellshill Cemetery, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, in the vicinity of the remainder of the Pullar family.

Marjory and Richard Butler had a son, Flying Officer Leonard Maurice Stewart Butler, RAF, VR. who was unfortunately killed whilst on Flying Operations in Italy on 21st. March 1944 and is buried in Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. Marjory’s husband, who remarried, is buried in Warwick Bridge, Cumberland.

Tony
_________________
Pte. W. BROWN, Middlesex Regiment, K.I.A Battle of The Somme.
Sgt. J. V. MURPHY, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, D.O.W Monte Cassino, Italy.

Jim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 195

It looks as if the Pullar dyeing firm went on to become what is still(?) Pullars of Perth, the high street drycleaning firm. There might be a corporate archive somewhere.

There's some info and the offer of help re Pullars on http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?o=0&m=2312.1.4.2&p=localities.britisles.scotland.ans.general

Tonym · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 224 Location: East Sussex

Thanks Jim

But I doubt the Pullar researchers would be able to provide the information regarding Marjory's activities as a Butler.

Had Marjory and her husband Richard produced more issue that one unfortunate son there may have been a possibility of some Butler
descendants but to the best of my knowledge there was only the one.

Tony
_________________
Pte. W. BROWN, Middlesex Regiment, K.I.A Battle of The Somme.
Sgt. J. V. MURPHY, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, D.O.W Monte Cassino, Italy.