Richard Butson

Richard Butson

Colonel Arthur Richard Cecil Butson, GC, OMM, CD and Bar (born 24 October 1922) was born of British parents in China, and later emigrated to Canada.

A medical student during the Second World War, he then joined the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey in 1946, and for rescuing another Antarctic explorer form a crevasse in 1947 was awarded the Albert Medal, then, with the George Cross, the highest award for civilian gallantry for British and Commonwealth citizens. Later, all holders of the Albert Medal were ordered to exchange that medal for the George Cross.

From 1948 he undertook postgraduate medical research in London before moving to Canada where he continued his medical career, both in civilian practice and with the Canadian Militia