|
War Service
EGYPT & WESTERN FRONT.
Embarked - HMAT Ascanius-Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 10th November 1915
Disembarked - Suez , 7th December 1915
Embarked -Tunisian- Alexandria, 18th June 1916 to join the British Expeditionary Force.
Disembarked - Marseilles, France, 23rd June 1916
Reported Missing 19-20 July 1916
Court of Enquiry, held in Field, 23rd August 1917 pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 20th July 1916'
RED CROSS RECORDS (from file No. 0280101C)
Informant: Cpl F Webster - 356, A Company 29th Bn
Informant states that all the mentioned men -
Batey L.R. -166
Brunn M.L . -1470
Farlow S. -80
Gill R. -2033 ( Died at C.C.S)
Higgins S.L -2030
Parry F. -320
Westmorland H.J. -361
Wilkin E.F. -1314
Woodcock F.S. -1262
were in the No. 3 Platoon along with himself and his brother. He knew them by Regimental No. and name well, but could not describe each on individually. the 9 mentioned men were killed on the afternoon of July 19. or in the morning of 20 July, 1916. All the named were killed either by Shellfire or Machine gun and were buried at the left hand of the sap which runs into the back of water farm (POZIERS). This was a very large grave and contained about 20 or 30 bodies, and is marked by 1 big cross. They were all buried by a fatigue party from D. Company and some bandsmen. Informant was at the burial on the 22 July and saw the remains of the 9 men (named), properly buried. The informant and his brother were the only 2 men left alive out of the platoon, his brother was in charge at the time.
Informant: Pte F.J Buckland - 380, A Company 29th Bn.
At Fromelles on the 19 July, I saw Batey wounded slightly in the shoulder. I wanted to bind him up but he said he was alright. This was the last time I saw him. We had taken the third German trench: it was in the first trench that Batey was wounded. We had to eventually evacuate the trenches.
5th December 1916 ( patient, No. 2 General Hospital Calais.)
I saw him in the German front line on July 19 at Fleurbaix with a wound in his shoulder. he was working his way up the trench at this time, trying to get back to our line. I knew he was missing afterwards, but know nothing further of him.
15th January 1917.
Informant Pte J.H. Moore. - 2092 A. 4 Plat.
Informant knew Batey who was in his Plat. He says his 1st Initial should be "L" not "S". On the 20 July during the attack at Fromelles, Informant saw Batey wounded in the shoulder and both legs. It was between the German 1st and 2nd Lines, and was later we retired to our original position and Batey, was, Informant believes, left. informant added that Batey was a very fine fellow and one of the most popular men in the coy.
6th December 1916.
Informant: Cpl W. Braden. - 413, A Company 29th Bn.
formant says he knew a man in A Co. who was called .... Batey
The last seen of him was in the Fromelles Attack of 19 July when he was left in No Man's Land with his shoulder shattered. Offered help, he replied "Never mind me, I'll be all right, go on" He was not seen again.
6th December 1916 (Patient, No.11 Stationary Hospital Rouen).
|
