Henry John Butler (1889-1924), aviator, was born on 9 November 1889 at Yorketown, South Australia, son of John James Butler, wheat-farmer, and his wife Sarah Ann, née Cook. Harry developed an interest in aviation at an early age and went on to a distinguished military and civilian flying career. His life and service is honored today with a memorial at Minlaton where one of his earliest aircraft, the Bristol monoplane, "Red Devil" is preserved. It is intended that a pioneer memorial and a  bronze statue of Harry will be located in the adjacent garden.

There are many articles and photos covering Harry's life and times. We recommend:

Leith G. MacGillivray, 'Butler, Henry John (1889–1924)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University

Monument Australia - Captain Harry Butler

SA Memory: SA Past and Present, for the Future. Captain Harry Butler Aircraft

Select Bibliography

• E. R. Burnett-Reid, ‘The Harry Butler story’, Aviation Historical Society of Australia,Journal, 4 (1963), no 4
• Advertiser (Adelaide), 5 July, 7, 30 Aug 1919
• Observer (Adelaide), 14 Jan 1922, 2 Aug 1924
• H. Butler collection, PRG 207, and letters to G. Ward (State Records of South Australia).
• Corporation of the City of Woodville Commemorating Harry Butler A.F.C. R.F.C., Hendon Aerodome, first aerial mail service, 1986
• District Council of Minlaton The Harry Butler story, 1989
• Cook, Diana The striding years: a history of the Minlaton District Council area[Minlaton, S.A.]: [District Council of Minlaton], 1975
• Heritage of the Yorke Peninsula prepared by Weidenhofer Architects [Adelaide]: Dept. for Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, 1998 part 2 page 398
• Capt. Henry J. Butler 1889-1924 PRG 207: History of Harry Butler's Bristol Monoplane

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