H. G. M. “Max” Butler was born in England and moved with his family to a farm at Cobden, Victoria, during the Depression. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force during the Second World War and served for four years in Palestine and other Middle East postings as an anti-aircraft gunner before being discharged at the war’s end.

After the war, Max married his wife, Addy and settled on a small farm at Bootjack on Flinders Island, supplementing the family income by working as a PMG linesman. He later accepted Lot 2 at The Quoin under the War Service Land Settlement Scheme but soon recognised that the blocks were too small to provide a viable long-term farming enterprise.

The Butlers were then offered Lot 14 on the Furneaux Estate. By 1950, he was actively involved in local advocacy for veterans, representing the Flinders Island sub-branch of the RSL.  He continued farming until declining health forced his retirement. The Board agreed to have the farm pass on to his son John, who farmed it successfully. Max and Addy retired to Launceston.