Sydney-born William Buttel was a promising young forward for Balmain. He had progressed through the junior ranks to break into the first grade team, scoring twice in the Gardiner Cup semi-final against Corrimal and playing well in Balmain’s 2-0 win over West Wallsend in the final to become NSW champions. Private Buttel had just turned 19 when he enlisted in January 1916, he claimed he was 21. He was killed in action in France on 9 April 1917. He was only 20 years of age.
Tragically, Sinclair Winton, his fellow Balmain forward and Cup winning team mate was killed in action in France nine days later.