ROTORUA PILOT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 291, 3 August 1932, Page 6

ROTORUA PILOT

LATEST APPOINTMENT NEW AIRWAYS OFFICER HAS DISTINGUISHED RECORD. SQUADRON LEADER BUTLER Squadron Leader A. J. Butler, O.B.E., M.C., A.F.C., has taken over the position of pilot to Rotorua Airways Limited. Squadron Leader Butler joined the Royal Flying Corps in Julv 1916, and served twelve months as a pilot in France for the 16th and 53rd squadrons during the year 1916-17. He was promoted captain of the Royal Flying Corps in July, 1917, and from May, 1918, to May, 1919, he commanded the 53rd training squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. In January, 1919,- he was promoted to major, and his name appeared in the New Year Honours list. After the Armistice, he was employed in connection with the closing down of the Air Force stations, and in May, 1920, he organised and opened No. 2 Flying School, for the R.A.F. He saw service in Ireland from 1920-22 and reox-ganised and commanded No. 2 squadron of the R A.F. there. From May, 1922 to 1925 Squadron Leader Butler acted as Provost Marshal on the headquarters staff of the R.A.F. at Baghdad. In 1925 he served with No. 216 night bombing squadron in Egypt. He lemained in Egypt for some years in the capacity of chief flying instructor at No. 4 Flying School, and prior to leaving the Air Force, was in command of the unit. Squadron Leader Butler holds eight medals and deeorations, including the Order of the British Empire, Military Cross, Royal Air Force Cross, and the 1914 Star.