This memorial page is dedicated to Bertram S. Butz, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Bertram S. Butz

Name: Butz
First names: Bertram S.
Nickname: –
Date of birth: 2 June 1917
Place of birth: Belleville, Illinois
Residence: in Belleville, Illinois
Rank / Occupation: Technician 5th Class
Identity tag: 36053766
Unit: 17th Tank Battalion, 7th Armoured Division, HQ Company
Date of death: 28 October 1944
Place of death: Neerkant
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Greenmount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois (USA)
Memorial site: –

 

Additional information

Grave location: Grave number 11, Section 3, Plot 165, North half (next to his father)

Son of Stephen L. Butz and Eva E. Butz of Belleville, Illinois. The Butz family had 17 children.
Enlisted 26 January 1942, Scott Field, Illinois

Bertram S. Butz was buried in a temporary cemetery (known as 87TH GP) at Loon in Liessel. This cemetery was established opposite L.247 (Johannes Damen) by the 15th Division, 87th Group, Scottish Grenadiers, who had set up a hospital in Johannes Damen’s barn. On 14 July 1945, there were still 31 graves at this Cemetery; Bertram S. Butz’s grave was the first one in the front row (counting from left to right).

Temporary cemetery (known as 87TH GP) at the Loon in Liessel
Tijdelijke begraafplaats (genaamd 87TH GP) aan het Loon te Liessel

The following victims were also buried at this cemetery: click here for an overview

Bertram S. Butz in uniform.
Bertram S. Butz in uniform.

Bertram S. Butz with some comrades.
Bertram S. Butz met enkele kameraden.

Gravestone, Greenmount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville, Illinois (USA)
Grafsteen, Greenmount Catholic Cemetery te Belleville, Illinois (VS)

Pat (Butz) Merriman with her husband Joe Merriman at the grave of her uncle Bertram S. Butz.
Pat (Butz) Merriman met haar man Joe Merriman bij het graf van haar oom Bertram S. Butz.

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action