Richard Butson facts for kids

Colonel Arthur Richard Cecil Butson (born October 24, 1922 – died March 24, 2015) was a brave doctor and soldier. He was born in China to British parents. Later, he moved to Canada and became a very important person there. He received the George Cross, one of the highest awards for bravery.

During World War II, he was a medical student. After the war, in 1946, he joined an expedition to the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey in Antarctica. In 1947, he bravely rescued another explorer from a deep crack in the ice called a crevasse. For this heroic act, he first received the Albert Medal. This was a very high award for brave civilians in Britain and the Commonwealth. Later, everyone who had the Albert Medal was invited to exchange it for the George Cross, which is also a top award for bravery.

From 1948, he continued his medical studies in London. Then, he moved to Canada. There, he worked as a doctor for regular people and also for the Canadian Militia, which is like a part-time army.

Early Life and Antarctic Adventures

Arthur Butson was born in Hankow, China, on October 24, 1922. His parents were British. He went to school in England at Leighton Park School. Then, he studied at the University of Cambridge and University College Hospital. He became a doctor in 1945.

During the Blitz in London, he helped out in the Home Guard. This was a group that protected Britain during the war. From 1946 to 1948, he worked as a medical officer in Antarctica. He was part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey.

During his time in Antarctica, his team found a new path for dog sleds. This path went over mountains that were 5,000 feet high. They also mapped out a thousand miles of coastline that was very hard to reach. For his bravery and great service in Antarctica, Butson received the Albert Medal and the Polar Medal.

Life in Canada

Arthur Butson continued his surgical studies in London until 1952. That year, he moved to Canada. He settled in Hamilton, Ontario in 1953 and worked as a surgeon.

Medical Career

When McMaster University Medical School started in 1970, he joined their teaching staff. He became a Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery. He was also the Chief of Staff at St. Joseph's Hospital for two years. This hospital was a large teaching hospital with 600 beds. For many years, he was also the Head of General Surgery there. He wrote about 20 papers on surgical topics. He even found time to earn another advanced degree in addition to his medical degree.

Military Service

In 1956, Butson joined the Canadian Militia as a Medical Officer. He worked with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry until 1972. Later, he commanded Hamilton's 23 Medical Company. He was a Lieutenant-Colonel at this time. He was then promoted to Colonel. He became the Area Surgeon for what is now LFCA (Land Force Central Area).

Colonel Butson was very adventurous! At age 55, he took a course on Arctic Winter Warfare. He also became a qualified parachutist. After that, he created a special team of military surgeons who could parachute into action.

He was the President of the Defence Medical Association of Canada. For four years, he represented Canada's medical services at the NATO Reserve Officer's Association (CIOR). For all his hard work with the Canadian Forces, he was named Honorary Surgeon to Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. In 1982, he was made an Officer of the Order of Military Merit (Canada).

Community and Hobbies

Arthur Butson married Eileen Callon on June 30, 1967. They had two daughters, Sarah Louise and Caroline, and one son, Andrew Richard. He was very active with the St John Ambulance for many years. In 2009, he was appointed Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John. He also received the Service Medal of the Order of St John for his long service.

He loved climbing mountains! He climbed in the Canadian Rockies, Baffin Island, Antarctica, the Alps, and the Hindu Kush mountains. There is even a place in Antarctica called Butson Ridge, named after him.

He also worked as a beef cattle farmer in Ancaster, Ontario.

Politics

In 2003, Arthur Butson decided to get involved in provincial politics in Ontario. He ran as the only candidate for the Ontario Provincial Confederation of Regions Party. This was during the 2003 Ontario general election. He ran in the area of Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot. His main ideas were about individual freedom and respecting heritage. He also wanted people to vote on whether the province should be bilingual. He was against forcing the city of Hamilton to combine with other areas.

Because he was the only candidate for his party, the CBC interviewed him. He received 293 votes and finished last among the six candidates. The next year, he was elected president of his party. He stayed in that role until 2010. The year after that, his wife was elected as the party's president for one year.

Personal Life

Arthur Butson was married twice. In 1946, he married Joyce Scott Cowell, and they had two children. In 1967, he married Eileen Gallon, and they had a son.

Arthur Butson passed away on March 24, 2015, at the age of 92.

Medals and Awards

Arthur Butson received many important medals for his bravery and service.

Ribbon	Description	Year
	George Cross (GC)	1948
	Order of Military Merit (OMM)	1982
	Venerable Order of Saint John	Commander
	Defence Medal
	Polar Medal	1954
	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal	1977
	Canada 125 Medal	1992
	Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal	2002
	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal	2012
	Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)	For 22 years of service
	Service Medal of the Order of St John