Page 49 - Memorial Groves

PLAQUE NO 77: PLAQUE NO 78: El Alamein & India

Gnr Frank Alexander Butterick (1923) Lieut. Sefton Albert

14th Bty; 2/7 Artillery Regt Perkins (1924-27)
Killed In Action: El Alamein
23 October 1942. Age 34 PLAQUE 79: PLAQUE 80:
2/43 Battalion
Killed in Action: El Alamein
Frank was from a farming family in Wagin and came to Hale School as a 12 November, 1942 Cpl John Aubrey [Jack] Plt/Off Bruce McKenzie
boarder in 1923. He was a prefect in his final year, Captain of Haynes House
(which in those days was the Boarding House), a member of both the 1st XI and Sefton came from Wagin and
1st XVIII and a good tennis player. Sherwood (1927-28) Ferguson (1928-33)
boarded at Hale School. His
nickname at School was “Snowy”; he
After leaving School he joined the Union Bank and was still with them when he was a quiet fellow according to his 2/28th Infantry Battalion 11 Squadron RAF
joined the army after World War II broke out. He was, at that time, engaged to contemporaries but was in the School Died of Wounds: El Alamein Killed in Action: India
be married to a girl in Bunbury. 8 November 1942. Age 29 17 January 1943. Age 24
athletics team and played for the 1st
XI in his final two years.
He trained as a gunner and was posted to the 14th Battery of the 2/7th Field Jack attended Hale School from Bridgetown in 1928-29 Bruce was the son of pastoralist Charles Ferguson of
Artillery Regiment and travelled with them to the Middle East. and after leaving school he became involved in the motor Tambery Station on the North-West of Western Australia.
He joined the army in 1941, was
posted to the 2/43rd Infantry trade both in Perth and Geraldton. He entered Hale School as a ten year old in 1928 and left
On the first day of battle, Gunner Frank Butterick was manning an Artillery Battalion, and went to the Middle in 1933. He was an excellent gymnast, according to the
Observation post in the coastal sector of El Alamein when the post received a East as a re-enforcement officer not When WWII broke out he joined the 2/28th Infantry Cygnet of the period, and was cox of the winning Head of
direct hit from an enemy shell. He was killed instantly. Battalion and went with them to the Middle Eastern the River crew in 1933.
long before the Battle of El Alamein.
On the night of 11/12 November he Theatre. With his battalion he was subsequently involved
Dedicated by Hale School and another officer led a fighting in the Battle of El Alamein and was commended for his During the war he was accepted for pilot training in the
Placed by Old Haleian Mr Keith Potter (1935-37), who also served at the patrol out into enemy lines in an exceptional bravery in the action at Ruin Ridge. Empire Air Training Scheme and on gaining his wings was
Battle of El Alamein with the Western Australian 2/28th Battalion. posted to India where he was taken on the strength of No
attempt to capture a prisoner for
intelligence purposes. Unfortunately The day after the battle had been won Jack and a friend 11 Bomber Squadron of the Royal Air Force.
they were detected and in the drove a jeep along a road that was purported to be safe.
exchange that followed he and his Unfortunately the vehicle slipped off the side of the road He was killed in action while on an operation against
brother officer were killed. and the two soldiers were blown up by a mine. enemy positions in Burma.

Dedicated by Hale School He left a wife and infant daughter. The School prize for the best all-round sportsman (the
Laid by Old Haleian, Mr Harry Bruce Ferguson Memorial Trophy) was donated by Bruce’s
Jarman (1936-39) who also served Dedicated by his family family many years ago and is still awarded to this day.
at the Battle of El Alamein with the Placed by the daughter he had never seen, Mrs Robin
Australian 2/48th Infantry Battalion. Andrews. Dedicated by his family
Placed by two of his cousins, Haleian Mr Charles
Ferguson (1927-30) and Mrs Min Plunkett.