When Harry Butler crashed his plane 10 January 1922, his injuries included a fractured skull, broken nose and jaws. His Avro biplane was wrecked beyond repair. Butler's health was impaired to such an extent that he renounced flying and established the Harry Butler Aviation and Motor Engineering Garage. He died suddenly on 30 July 1924.

Butler was born at Yorketown and educated at Koolywurtie School. He revealed early an aptitude with mechanics. Butler served with distinction in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, reaching the rank of Flight Commander, and serving as a flight instructor. His services were recognised with the awarding of the Air Force Cross.

On his return to South Australia, Butler established himself as a stunt pilot, but was also active in promoting the serious side of aviation. He made the first airmail delivery across water by flying a mailbag from Adelaide to Minlaton in August 1919, and later making a return delivery to Adelaide. He also took the first aerial photograph of Adelaide.

The Minlaton District Council erected a memorial to him in 1958, which included his famous 'Red Devil', the Bristol M.1c monoplane. However there is no evidence that Butler himself called his monoplane 'Red Devil'.

Australian Dictionary of Biography online: Butler, Henry John (1889-1924)