On the 20th of March 1912, Constable Buttle, the Officer in Charge of Derby Police, was on leave at the time, and was among 157 passengers and crew on board the SS Koombana, leaving Port Hedland to sail to Broome. 

Sometime after leaving Port Hedland on 20th March, a cyclone hit the area, the SS Koombana never made it to her next port.

Many other vessels including the SS Minderoo made a thorough search of the Monte Bello Islands, the Rowley Shoals and surrounding area, but the ship has never been found.   

Constable Buttle joined the Police Force on 20th March 1893.