Bryan Butchard

Born in Chelmsford, Essex, he was the son of a businessman who later became the president of an American ball-bearings company.^[3][4] Butchard entered Dartmouth Royal Naval College at the age of 13.^[3][4]

During World War II, as a sub-lieutenant aboard HMS Volunteer, Butchard participated in operations in France and Norway in 1940.^[3][4] Notably, while docked in Liverpool, he heroically rescued a crew member who fell overboard while intoxicated.^[3][4]

In early 1941, he served as first lieutenant on the V-class destroyer HMS Vimy.^[3][4] On September 3, 1942, Vimy engaged the German U-boat U-162, which had been responsible for sinking 14 Allied vessels.^[3] The engagement led to the U-boat's destruction, earning Butchard mentions in dispatches for his "gallantry and enterprise."^[3]

Further exploits included the rescue of survivors from the US merchantman West Lashaway in September 1941 and a confrontation with a wolf pack of U-boats while escorting convoy SC 118 in February 1943, resulting in heavy enemy losses but also Allied casualties.^[3]

Post-war, Butchard served as a torpedo officer aboard HMS Diadem and accompanied the royal family to South Africa in 1947 aboard HMS Vanguard.^[3] He retired from active service in 1949 due to partial deafness caused by prolonged exposure to gunfire.^[3]

Later, Butchard joined the Naval Ordnance Inspectorate and was promoted to captain in 1974.^[3][4] He took retirement in 1989.^[5]

Butchard settled in Wylye, Wiltshire, with his wife, Patricia, who was widowed from his friend Nigel Thurston killed during the Dunkirk evacuation.^[3][4] The couple had a son and a stepdaughter.^[3][4]