Career

Butler fought in World War I with the 12th Artillery Brigade, and suffered extensive injuries in a mustard gas attack in France. Consequently, after the war he retired from major rowing competitions and worked as an accountants He returned to the army during World World War II and served with the 48th Highlanders and Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps.

Achievements

• Butler started training in rowing in 1908, and next year won his first junior race. By 1910 he rowed as a senior in the United States and Canada, and in 1911 won two United States national titles, in the single sculls and quarter-mile dash. He defended those titles in 1912, and won the quarter-mile dash again in 1914.