Rocklands, Norfolk The Villages of Rockland All Saints and Rockland St Peter

Ronald Butler M.M.

Ron,or Ronnie Butler was raised at Hingham and came to Rocklands in 1938 to work int he bakery of Mr J.C.Dove, lodging with Mr and Mrs Eric Dixon, whose daughter Margery he married at the beginning of the War.

He joined the Territorial Army, and at the outbreak of war was called to serve in the 4th Norfolk Regiment. He later joined the Commandoes, in which he rose to the rank of Sergeant.

In March 1942, he took part in "Operation Chariot" - the raid on the St Nazaire Dockyards in occupied France.Ron Butler and four companions were given the task of destroying a vital pumping station at the docks. He was the last man to leave, as he helped wounded comrades escape the ensuing explosion, but he suffered blast injuries and shrapnel wounds and was captured by the Germans, spending three years in prisoner of war camps. For his bravery he was awarded the Military Medal.

At the end of the war Ron returned to work for Mr Dove and then became the village postman, a position he held for 24 years. He participated in many village organisations - he helped form the Rocklands division of The St John Ambulance and became divisional officer, he was a primary school manager and parish councillor and he serves on the village hall and playing field committees.

He died in Wayland Hospital on 29th June 1998