Joseph Asquith Butler was born in Ballarat and was a Storeman by trade when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement on 30 March 1916 at the age of 29. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on 16 August 1916. On October 4th 1917 he suffered an accidental gunshot wound to the scalp and both knees, although an enquiry found æsoldier not to blame'. He was evacuated to the Guildford Army Hospital in England and did not rejoin his unit until May 1918. At war's end, while awaiting return to Australia, he married Florence Roberts on June 10th 1919. He returned to Melbourne on the Demosthenes, arriving on September 14th 1919.

His brother, Pte John Thomas Butler (Tree No 1786) also served. Killed in action, 19 July 1916.
Tree No 2310