A stylish left-handed fencer, Harry Butterworth specialised in the sabre although he was a versatile swordsman. He was, at one time or another, a member of Bertrand’s School of Arms, The Sword Club, and Magrini’s School of Arms. Also in the early part of the 20th century, he played a big role in the formative years of The Sabre Club. Although he never won the British Sabre Championship, he did compete in the individual and team events at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. In 1921 Butterworth was a member of the Great Britain team that travelled to the United States for the match against their American counterparts for the American Challenge Cup. Butterworth later became a fencing judge and referee, and was vice-president of The Sabre Club.