Rugby medal awarded to Major Walter Butcher, Royal Engineers, 1919

Walter Vincent Butcher (1878-1957) was educated at Carlisle Grammar School and in adult life worked as a railway engineer. A versatile half-back, he played club rugby for several teams, including Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Streatham and Richmond.

In March 1903 Butcher won an international call up, playing for England in a 10-6 loss against Scotland at Richmond. He gained six further England caps over the following two seasons, including matches against Wales and Ireland as well as Scotland. In 1905 he also played for the Barbarians in matches against Plymouth and Penarth, both of which ended in defeat for the Baa-Baas.

Following the outbreak of World War One he joined the Royal Engineers and eventually reached the rank of major. Butcher survived the war and continued to play rugby for his corps with great distinction. He was awarded this medal for captaining a victorious Engineers team in a post-war tournament.