15 Facts About Mervyn Butler

Mervyn Butler was educated at St Columba's College, Rathfarnham, Ireland and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Mervyn Butler was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the South Lancashire Regiment on 4 February 1933 and was promoted to lieutenant on 2 February 1936.

Mervyn Butler was again promoted, this time to captain, on 2 February 1941.

Mervyn Butler transferred to the Parachute Regiment and served with distinction during the Second World War, being awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross for his services.

Mervyn Butler transferred to the Suffolk Regiment on 20 July 1946.

Just before midnight Mervyn Butler was ordered to stop on the hour, when a ceasefire would come into effect.

Mervyn Butler compromised, advancing until 0:15 am on 7 November 1956 to reach El Cap, where he sited the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, with supporting detachments.

Mervyn Butler was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order on 13 June 1957.

Mervyn Butler was General Officer Commanding 2nd Division from 1962 to 1964.

In 1964 Mervyn Butler was appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Studies and then in 1966 went on to be Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley.

Mervyn Butler was General Officer Commanding Army Strategic Command from 1970 to 1971 before going on to serve as Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies from January 1972 to 1973.

Mervyn Butler was promoted to general on 14 January 1972.

Mervyn Butler was Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment from 1967 to 1972.

Mervyn Butler was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for service in Cyprus in 1957, a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1964 New Year Honours, and advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1968 New Year Honours.

On his death in 1976 Mervyn Butler was buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery.