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Private Bertie Batstone

Description

TitlePrivate Bertie BatstoneSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionBertie was born 12th September 1890 at Kirwee, son of George and Ruth Batstone. Prior to enlisting he was working as a Grocer for his father who had a bakery and store at Kirwee. He had previous military experience having served with the 13th Regiment, the Canterbury and West Coast. He was a very well known sprinter having run 100 yds in 10 l.5sec and 220 yards in 23 3.0 sec. In the 1914-15 New Zealand Championships, at Wellington, he scored three seconds, and in each case he was beaten by only a slight margin. While in camp at Trentham he won the 100 yards and 220 yards military Championships.

Bertie enlisted on 9th April 1915 and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. He embarked on 14th August with the 6th Reinforcements bound for Suez. He joined the Battalion at Mudros and on to Gallipoli. However he was admitted to the Hospital ship Oxfordshire with influenza on 12th December, then to the General Hospital at Cairo on the 15th. After convalescence at Luxor he re-joined the battalion and sailed on the Franconia from Port Said to France on 6th April 1916. He was wounded at Armentieres on 27th July, suffering a gun-shot wound to his neck. He was hospitalised in Boulogne but re-joined his battalion on 2nd July. The New Zealand Division went into action in the battle for Morval in September 1916. At first Bertie was declared missing but after a Board of Enquiry he was declared killed in action, aged 26, on 28 September 1916. His name is recorded on the Caterpillar Valley Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France. In New Zealand he is remembered on the Malvern County War Memorial.

First NameBertieLast NameBatstoneFamilySingleSon of George and Ruth BatstoneDate of Birth12 September 1890Place of BirthKirwee, CanterburyDate of Death28 September 1916Place of DeathSomme, FranceCause of DeathKilled in actionAge at Death24

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CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryCaterpillar Valley Memorial to the MissingMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingGrocerRegiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details9th April 1915Service Number6/2535Embarkation14th August 1915Theatre of WarSommeCountryNew Zealand

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private Bertie Batstone