CHARLES GEORGE BATLEY*
Photograph courtesy of Mary Whitmore
Born: 1895, Ipswich.
Died: 16th September 1916; age 21; KiA.
E.A.D.T – Wednesday, 11th October 1916 – Mr. and Mrs. George Batley, of 48, Alston Road, Ipswich, have received notification from the War Office to the effect that their son, Private Charles G. Batley, of the Suffolk Regiment, was killed in action on the 16th September. Private Batley, who was 21 years of age, joined the Army on the 25th January 1916, and was sent to France after 14 weeks’ training.
Residence: 48, Alston Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: with Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Orwell Works, Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 24117.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 9th Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Memorial Reference:
Pier & Face 1C & 2A.
Somme,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Eldest son of George & Alice Batley, of 48, Alston Road, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 12, Fore Street, Ipswich.
Charles was 6 years old and living with his parents & sister.
George Batley, 37, a Sugar Boiler, born Norwich, Norfolk.
Alice Batley (nee Adams), 33, a Baker & Confectioner Shopkeeper – own account, born Ipswich.
Lily Alice Batley, 8, born Ipswich.
1911 30, Fore Street, Ipswich.
Charles was 16 years old, an Errand Boy. He was living with his parents & siblings.
George, 47, a Sugar Boiler – Sweet Manufacturer.
Alice, 42.
Lily, 17, Shop Assistant.
Gladys Alexandra Batley, 9, born Ipswich.
Stanley Alan Batley, 3, born Ipswich.
Charles is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Clement’s Congregational Church, Ipswich and the Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Orwell Works, war memorial. Now sited at The Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk.
The Battle of Flers- Courcelette, September 1916
Following an attack on the 13th, the 9th Battalion, under heavy machine gun fire in the “Quadrilateral” sector, took on a German outpost, gaining 400 yards of open ground, with no further forward movement dug in. On the 15th, the offensive resumed after 3 days of heavy bombardment. During the battle, tanks were used.
The 9th Battalion moved forward on the 16th in support of the 9th Norfolk Regiment. Zero hour was at 06:20, and the battalion advanced an hour and a half later under heavy machine gun fire, making it difficult to make any headway. At 08:30 a.m. Lieut.-Colonel Mack, the commanding officer, moved his headquarters to the front-line trench, while observing the attack, was hit by machine gun fire and killed, passing the command to his Adjutant. C.Allerton. The attack then stalled, and the men dug in under now heavy German artillery. 12 officers were killed or wounded, 35 ranks killed, and 93 wounded. Overall, the division for this battle took upwards of 3500 casualties.
THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT 9th (Service) Battalion:
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
Leave a Reply