Walter Butler (architect)

Walter Richmond Butler (24 March 1864 – 31 May 1949), was an Australian architect trained in the Arts and Crafts style, born in Somerset, England.

He departed from Plymouth on the SS Oroya on 21 July arriving in Sydney in October, and by the end of the year had moved to Melbourne.

In 1896 George C. Inskip joined his practice, however their association ended in 1905 after a disagreement with the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects over the conduct of a competition.

The revival of this building is evident in its bell tower with its pinnacles, its rough-hewn timber trusses, and the monastic- like courtyard.

The tomb is based on Trajan's Kiosk on Philae Island in Egypt's south, only smaller and encompassing a similar symbolic context.

Butler ensured that the symbolism best represented Symes character merged with his growing interest in iconography architecture.