John Butler: Dobro, Fire and Uprising | Who Do You Think You Are? Australia | S2 E6

A grandfather’s Dobro, a 1958 bushfire, and a rebel spark in Bulgaria collide in John Butler’s most personal journey yet. What begins with a treasured guitar becomes a search for the people and places that forged his name and music. John opens a WWII diary, stands where his grandfather fell fighting a WA bushfire, and learns why a great-grandfather faced a WWI court martial. In Victoria, a maternal line emerges: Elizabeth Ann Butler, who sang in pubs to feed her children, and a family name chosen for survival. Then, in Koprivshtica, Bulgaria, baptism records, hidden passages, and a long-guarded archive connect his bloodline to a pivotal uprising — and to the moment a first shot changed everything. This episode is a rare map of principle and grit across continents — from Echuca shanties to Alexandria’s shoreline — and the surprising echoes shaping Butler’s activism and sound. Watch to see what the documents finally reveal, and how one discovery reframes his entire story. Watch the full journey now and feel the power of knowing where you come from. #JohnButler #WDYTYA #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #Australia #Bulgaria #DobroGuitar