Albert Wilkinson BATTYE

From the book Fallen Saints

Albert Wilkinson Battye was born at Encounter Bay, South Australia in 1889 and later educated at Victor Harbor State School and the Collegiate School of St. Peter; prior to enlisting on 24 July 1915 he was an accountant with the Union Bank, Bairnsdale Victoria. In November, while in transit at 1st Depot Battalion, Seymour, Victoria, Albert joined the 7th quota of reinforcements for the 24th Battalion and sailed from Melbourne aboard HMAT Commonwealth on 26 November. After reaching Egypt, Privates Battye, New Zealand born Thomas Cooke, (later VC) and other members of the 7th reinforcements for the 24th Battalion, were reposted to the 8th Battalion then at Serapeum.The 8th Battalion sailed for France on 26 March 1916 and from April to July served in the relatively quiet sectors near Armentières.When the 1st Division attacked Pozières on 24 July, the 8th Battalion, along with the remainder of the 2nd Brigade, was in reserve. After surviving intense enemy bombardment the battalion when called upon that night to reinforce the attack, advanced through and on to the north of Pozières. This, the battalion’s first major action in France cost the lives of 81 men, one of whom was Private Thomas Cooke who for his valour was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.Appointed lance corporal on 30 July, Albert, with the surviving members of the battalion moved to the Ypres salient, Belgium where they manned the trenches before returning to the Somme for a thoroughly miserable winter.When the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, the 8th Battalion took part in the follow-up operations and on 4 May 1917 Lance Corporal Battye suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand. He was admitted to 9th General Hospital, Rouen the following day and on 18 May was transferred to 11 Convalescent Depot, Buchy. He rejoined the battalion in the field on 8 June, was promoted to corporal on 18 July and three days later was granted leave.On 20 September1917, Corporal Battye distinguished himself during the Battle of Menin Road. Recommendation: - During the attack on POLYGON WOOD east of YPRES on 20th September 1917 Cpl Battye led his platoon against the enemy’s strong point in the face of heavy machine gun fire and captured it, together with gun and crew. When the position had been consolidated he was in charge of an advanced bombing post and although heavily shelled, by his great coolness and determination he held his men together. – Passed - Division - 28/9/1917 [i]

Immediately after the attack on 20 September, he was promoted to temporary sergeant and two days later was admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance with a slight shrapnel wound to the head; he rejoined his unit the following day.On 4 October during the Battle of Broodseinde, German shells began to fall among the Australian battalions emerging from Romulus and Remus Woods. The 3rd Division’s right flank who were then picking their way through the bog and stumps of Thames Wood, reported ‘whizz-bang’ shells were accurately following them.‘By God, they’re sniping us,’ saidone of the crowd. At the halt numerous casualties occurred in the 8th Battalion. [ii]

The German gunners were firing over open sights and the Australians, when they saw the flashes mistakenly believed they were observing their own shells bursting. After shrapnel penetrated his right foot and abdomen, twenty eight year old Sergeant Albert Battye MM was taken to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance for treatment, then transferred to 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on 5 October; he died there that day.

[i] Australian War Memorial, Honours and Awards (Recommendations: First World War) – Battye, Albert Wilkinson / 1/32P2 - 1st Aust Division - 18/9/1917 to 23/9/1917-Citation: AWM 28 1/32P2, p. 16

[ii] Bean, C E W, Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Vol IV, Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1933, p. 853

https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/110499

Item details for: B2455, BATTYE A W