A casualty General Service Medal awarded to Corporal H. W. Butler, Royal Sussex Regiment, who died as a result of a fractured spine received during a reprisal attack on 27 February 1948

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (14189317 Cpl. H. Butler. R. Sussex.) extremely fine £240-£280

Henry William Butler was born on 18 March 1924 and served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment in Palestine. He died of a result of a fractured spine received in a reprisal attack following the deaths of 50 civilians in Ben Yehuda Street - the principal Jewish retail street in Jerusalem - which was shattered by a series of explosions blamed upon British forces; such was the anger of local witnesses that the troops and police who subsequently arrived to assist with the rescue work had to be withdrawn in the face of a hostile crowd. Aged 23 years, Butler is buried in Ramleh Cemetery.

Sold with original Army Council condolence slip, named to recipient, and extensive copied research.