Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of David BATTY and Delia nee JEWELL

Cemetery details: Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Reninghelst, Flanders, Belgium

"THE LATE PRIVATE R. J. BATTY.

Mr. and Mrs. D. Batty, of Capper-street, Kent Town, have been officially notified of the death of their youngest son, Private Robert J. Batty, who was recently reported wounded. He was born on December 12, 1895, and was educated at the Norwood and Marryatville public schools. His bright sunny, open-hearted nature won him friends everywhere. He belonged to the cadets, and his first experience of the real thing — to use his own words — was in Egypt in a brush with the Turks. Immediately on landing in France he was put on a machine gun, for which his coolness, quickness, and physique well fitted him. Some of his letters were topically Australian, and contained graphic pictures of the deadly work at the front. Like his mates he cheerfully and bravely played his part in the great offensive." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 11 Nov 1916 (nla.gov.au)

Robert John Batty was born in 1895, on December 12th. His place of birth was in Norwood, South Australia where he additionally received his education at Norwood and Marryatville public schools. He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Batty, with one older sibling, Henry Batty. Before joining the Australian Imperial Forces, he spent his time working as a gardener, additionally spending his spare time as a senior cadet. He enlisted in mid-August 1915 and served in the Australian Imperial Force as a part of the 16th battalion until the 11th of October 1916, when he unfortunately passed away. Robert was reported to have been accidentally injured by falling off a horse and received a severe head injury.

Robert had previously attempted to sign up as a soldier and was unfortunately rejected because of his height, as he stood at 5 feet and 4 inches. Mr Batty attempted enlisting a second time and was accepted in 1915 because of his strong stature and agile speed. He was placed in the 16th Battalion and was assigned to use a machine gun as it suited his muscularity. Robert had the rank of being a private meaning he hadn’t passed basic training, equal to the training a new soldier would have to endure. He was sent to Egypt for three months to pursue said training.

Robert’s brother, Henry wistfully accepted an award of participation on behalf of Robert. Said medal was passed down through generations and now lies with Henry’s great-grandchildren. His battalion served in various battles, such as the Battle of Amiens, the Battle of Poitiers, and the first Battle of Bullecourt. The German Spring Offensive and the Landing at ANZAC Cove, where some other significant events Robert was a part of. As Robert’s battalion continued to fight, Robert’s body stayed in Germany.

Before his death, Mr Batty was hospitalised due to an unknown sickness on the 13th of May 1916 and was released back into the field of combat, in France. Soon after his release, on the 9th of September, he was wounded and once again sent back to a casualty clearing station. Fortunately, he made a fast recovery and was deployed once again. Later that year in early October he was seriously injured and came out with a bruised head, later receiving the diagnosis of a severe brain concussion resulting in his death. Witnesses explain how his horse had a fright and Robert was thrown off the back whilst his feet remained in the stirrups. His head hit the ground as his feet slipped out and he became unconscious. He never regained consciousness and was confirmed dead on the 11th of October 1916.

His mother was informed of his death via a letter written by the battalion’s sergeant, regarding their well wishes and apologies. His family suffered his loss and showed empathy for other soldiers’ lives lost. After the Treaty of Versailles was signed and all soldiers were discharged, Robert’s family received his award and medal of participation which has been kept in the family as a loving memory of the hardworking, courageous Robert John Batty. His body is buried at Risinghurst New Military Cemetery located in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.