Typescript memoirs of service in the South African War, East Africa, Arabia, Egypt, North India, Sudan, etc., with photographs, sketches, postcards, letters, etc., 1899-1943.
Dates
- 1899-1943
Extent
3 Volumes
Language of Materials
- English
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Afr. r. 195].
Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.
Full range of shelfmarks:
MSS. Afr. r. 195
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 1053
Biographical / Historical
Major-General Stephen Seymour Butler (1880-1964) joined the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers in 1897, then the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1899. He fought in the South African War before joining the King's African Rifles, 1905-1907. He explored Northern Arabia, 1907-1908, disguised as a Bedouin, and lectured to the Royal Geographical Society on his return. He transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment in 1908, then the Egyptian Army, 1909-1915. During World War One he served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 1914-1915, saw action in the Dardanelles, 1915-1916 and in France, 1916-1918, and held the position of Deputy Chief of Intelligence, GHQ, 1918. From 1919 to 1920 he worked as Head of Naval Intelligence, Constantinople. He held a non-commissioned post in India, 1921-1923 and was Military Attach, Bucharest, 1923-1926. He served as Inspector-General Royal West African Frontier Force, 1926-1930 and Kaid Sudan Defence Force, 1930-1935, then with the 48th Division, Territorial Army, 1935-1939, after which he retired briefly. Then, during World War Two, he was made Head of the Military Mission to Turkey, 1939-1940, undertook liaison work in Africa, 1940-1941, and was Head of the British Military Mission in Ethiopia, 1941-1943. Frequently decorated, he was awarded the DSO in 1917, CMG in 1919 and CB in 1936. In 1913 he married Phyllis Critchley-Salmonson, with whom he had two sons.
Other Finding Aids
Listed as no. 802 in Manuscript Collections in Rhodes House Library, Oxford, Accessions 1978-1994 (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1996).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information unknown.
- 19th century
- 20th century
- Africa, East -- Biography -- 20th century
- Arabian Peninsular -- Biography -- 20th century
- Butler | Stephen Seymour | 1880-1964 | Major-General
- Egypt -- Biography -- 20th century
- India, North -- Biography -- 20th century
- South African War, 1899-1902 -- Biography
- Sudan -- Biography -- 20th century
- World War, 1914-1918 -- Biography
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Biography
- Title
- Papers of Major-General Stephen Seymour Butler
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Paul Davidson
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk