Graham John Butler (6 Sep 1933 - 24 Nov 2021)

In loving memory of Graham John Butler who sadly passed away on 24th November 2021.

Graham John Butler born on 6th September 1933. He was educated at Blidworth school and later at Chesterfield road tech college Mansfield.

Graham held down many jobs throughout his life, starting whilst he was still at school delivering Newspapers for the local post office, as well as delivering groceries for the local Co-Op. He was also part of the Blidworth colliery ambulance cadets, where he won many ambulance brigade competitions.
Graham also had an entrepreneurial streak; during his school days he would get on his bike and ride down to Blidworth Bottoms, where 'The American's' (as he would call them) were training for D Day. He would offer to fetch the soldiers 'proper English fish & chips'. He would offer to deliver them for sixpence, when in fact they only cost him a penny. And as they didn't quite understand English money they jumped at the offer, as they sounded much more appealing than their daily rations.

At the age of 15, Graham started work in the Blacksmiths workshops at Blake & Beeleys in Mansfield. He later moved to work at Blidworth Colliery as an Apprentice fitter, and progressed to become a mechanic for the mine. During this time he also worked part time in the Colliery Medical Centre.

Graham first saw Hazel in Weston Super Mare while she was cycling on holiday with her family. A few weeks later he spotted her in the local village and recognised her red hair. He invited her to the village dance and they have been together ever since. Whilst they were courting, a house they wanted to buy became available, but they were only selling it to married couples, so Hazel and Graham decided to get married on 14th January 1956 and got the house.

Graham started his career in training as an Engineering Instructor at Sherwood colliery training centre. He would then move onto his most renowned profession at Thomas Cotton Industrial Painters as their engineer, travelling all over England, Scotland, & Wales. Graham and Hazel would love to tell tales about their travels all over the county, his most famous being; 'You want me to go to Loch Long?! Do you know where I am?!' And from there he moved on to work for British coal at Lound Hall Training Centre as an engineering and mining Instructor. Finally, he became the Chief Mining Instructor in the Nottinghamshire coal field.

Not one to be shy of work, whilst working at Blidworth colliery he also joined the Nottinghamshire retained fire service where he worked with his youngest son, Peter. He worked his way up from Fireman to Leading Fireman, and eventually become Sub Officer in charge serving some 35 years. Before he retired from the fire service due to injury, he also wrote the history of Blidworth fire station from the war years onwards, and this can be found buried in a time Capsule in the latest fire station.

When Graham wasn't working, he would find time to take part in organisations such as; St Johns ambulance brigade and voluntary work at Kings Mill hospital. He would also take enjoyment from hobbies such as; woodwork (making boxes and bird tables for charity raffles), playing bowls for the Blidworth Welfare bowls club, and going on holiday - which would usually include a short visit to the local Hospital. Graham also spent a lot of time with his 3 grandchildren; Lyndsey, Liam & Zoe. They would often take them on outings to Rufford Park and ten pin bowling.

Graham had a big passion for steam trains which he shared with his eldest son, Paul. Graham has visited many Steam events across the country during his lifetime, his favourite being the North Yorkshire Moors Railway where he also had the chance to drive one of the engines himself. This will be where his ashes will be scattered in the witness of his closest family.