Butterfield,+JM

BUTTERFIELD, John Norman Initials on the Keighley Memorial Plate in Keighley Library are given as J.M. The Initials given on the Navy Roll on Honour ( naval-history.net ) casualty list for H.M. Dasher gives J.H. The C.W.G.C. gives the above names.

Seaman A.B. C/JX 279269, Royal Navy, H.M.S. "Dasher", an Avenger class carrier, sunk off the Isle of Arran due to an explosion of avation spirit, on the 27th March 1943. The tanks held 75,000 gallons. 379 seamen were killed and only 149 were rescued Son of Frederick and Edith Butterfield of Keighley, husband of Mary Butterfield of Keighley. Due to the enormity of the disaster, a news blackout was imposed until after the war. Aircraft being operational from the carrier at the time were 6 Fairey Swordfish Mk1 of No 816 Squadron, and 5 Sea Hurricanes Mk 11c. It is thought that the explosion was caused by a Swordfish hitting the stern of the carrier an igniting aviation spirit.

No known grave, Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Panel 68 Col 2