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Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 157

A Boer War Distinguished Conduct Medal group of seven to Quartermaster & Captain J. Batchelor, Worcestershire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (3339 Serjt: J. Batchelor. 3rd Worcester Regt); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (3339 Clr:-Serjt: J. Batchelor. Worcester: Regt); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3339 Clr:-Serjt: J. Batchelor. Worcester: Regt); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Q.M. & Capt. J. Batchelor.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3339 C.Sjt: J. Batchelor. Worc: Regt); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R. (3339 C.Sjt. J. Batchelor. D.C.M. Worc.R.), light contact marks to the first three, otherwise very fine, the last with small edge bruise (7)

Approximately 22 D.C.M.'s awarded to the Worcestershire Regiment for the Boer War.

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Citation states:

'At Middlefontein on 23rd January, 1901, finding at dawn that the Boers had rushed a kopje close to camp, quickly collected a party of men and seized some rising ground to right rear of the Boers. By this prompt action the recovery of the kopje from the enemy was greatly assisted. On the 24th January when on rear guard covering retirement of "D" Company with a small party of men.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 7 May & 10 September 1901; 18 December 1917.

James Batchelor was born in Selly Oak, Birmingham on 15 July 1874. He was the son of James and Harriet Batchelor and brother to John, (elder), living in the High Street, Selly Oak and younger sisters and brothers - Charles, Emma, Harriot, William and Ellen, living in the family home of 3, Hubert Road, Boumebrook, Birmingham. He enlisted into the Worcestershire Regiment on 13 September 1892 at Worcester. His trade at the time of enlistment was a Copper Tube Drawer and he was residing in Birmingham.

He was given his army number of 3339 and posted to Curragh Camp in Ireland to join the 2nd Battalion, where he remained until 8 November 1893, when the Battalion left Ireland for Aldershot, arriving on 11 November.

Whilst at Aldershot, Batchelor began to study and improve his education, earning a 3rd Class Certificate in Education on 28 March 1894. He also received his first Good Conduct Pay and Badge on 13 September and was promoted to Lance Corporal on 16 October of that year. Continuing his studies, he was awarded his 2nd Class Certificate of Education on 19 October and was additionally promoted Corporal on 29 January 1895.

Batchelor's first real experience of foreign shores was a posting with his Battalion to Malta on 14 November 1895, which also coincided with further promotion to Lance Sergeant. The Battalion arrived in Malta on 21 November of that year. Keen to advance himself further, he studied for promotion to Sergeant and his examination pass was published in Regimental Orders on 3 December 1895.

Whilst in Malta, he was examined in his competency to swim and was able to swim 200 yards, he was promoted to Sergeant on 6 June. During his posting in Malta, Batchelor's new swimming qualification was put to good use during an incident involving the Regimental Sergeant Major John Ryder. A former friend and fellow soldier records:

'It falls to the lot of very few to save the Sergeant Major from drowning. The Sergeants boat was out one evening with eight oars and the tiller. The Sergt.-Major, John Ryder and Jim were of the crew. It was the custom to bathe from the boat. The S.M. was soon in difficulties - he went down once - twice and then Jim leapt from the boat and caught hold of the S.M. and with help, hauled him aboard. S.M. Ryder lived to the age of 91 and reached the rank of Major and Quartermaster. Jim was always proud to repeat this story at the reunions.'

3 October 1897 saw the Battalion embark from Malta to Bermuda, where it arrived on 19 November. On 13 September 1898, he received his second Good Conduct Pay and Badge.

After remaining in Bermuda for what must have been a very pleasant stay for a little over two years, Batchelor returned to the U.K on 10 October 1899, arriving at Southampton on 6 December. By this time, the Boer War was well underway and the British Army, together with the ideals of British Imperialism had been given a huge knock by what the people of the day regarded as no more than 'armed farmers'. A 'quick win' colonial war was not going to be had and huge reinforcements were required to 'tip the scales' against a foe who knew their homeland well and how to use its topography to maximum effect and who were also expert shots with their German supplied Mauser Rifles.

The 2nd Battalion left Southampton for South Africa on 17 December 1899, arriving on 10 January1900 and forming part of the 12th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General Clement, part of the 6th Division under Lt. General Kelly-Kenny, C.B. Moving up country, they detrained at Rensburg on 14 January and commenced operations in Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, near Colesberg, on 21 January. On 2 February 1900, Batchelor was promoted to Colour Sergeant.

Remaining in this area, the Battalion occupied a vulnerable position on the extreme right flank of the British line and were subjected to shelling by the Boers. On 7 February, Batchelor's company went out on outpost duty in the hills for a period of four days. However, it was on 9 February that Batchelor led a patrol of 6 men and captured two Boers - the first prisoners of the Brigade. The prisoners were interrogated and stated that a Boer attack was imminent on the Battalion's position, but final approval was being sought from Boer commanders at Bloemfontein.

The reply would be too late for an attack to be organised for Saturday, 10th and the Boers would not attack on a Sunday, so the attack would come on Monday, 12th, which proved correct. Sufficient time was given for defensive preparations to be made - Batchelor had done good work. Batchelor's Company was withdrawn on the 11th to take up a position on the left front of the camp.

On the 12th, the Boers launched their intended attack against the British outposts, concentrating their efforts on three hills or "Kopjes" - Signal Hill, Burnt Hill and Pinnacle Hill - the ground being defended by the Battalion. As the attack developed, '13' Coy moved to take up a position on Stubbs Hill to beat off the Boer attack. "The fight lasted throughout the 12th and the pressure and strength of the enemy compelled the Battalion to retire to await further instructions", stated Batchelor.

As a result of the gallant defence of these positions, the hills became known as the "Worcester Kopjes". In this action, 3 officers, including the C.O. and 22 men were killed, with 3 officers and 47 men wounded - Lt. Bartholomew was awarded the D.S.O. The battle became known as the battle of Slingersfontein.

Following the action at Slingersfontein, the Battalion continued north towards Bloemfontein and crossed the Orange River on 15 March. As both the Norvals Pont and Colesberg Road Bridges had been blown up by the enemy, the crossing of the river, which at this point was 100 yards wide, had to be made in boats. It was thought that the Boers may be waiting on the far bank amongst the bushes, so whilst two Infantry battalions remained on the south side of the river with the artillery guns to provide covering fire, the remainder dashed across in the boats, rowing at full speed. On reaching the other side, it was found that the Boers had already left.

The engineers quickly assembled a pontoon bridge that enabled the guns and supplies to be transported across - the Brigade had entered the Orange Free State.

The Boers in this region began to return to their farms and every farm flew the white flag of surrender. Eventually, Bloemfontein was reached after many days of marching. Next came the protection of a convoy of provisions from Winberg to Senekal which intelligence suggested was going to be attacked by the enemy. The 12th Infantry Brigade under Brig. Gen. Clement moved to reinforce the convoy and met up with it at Riet Spruit, where on 23 June, 1900, the enemy launched an attack in freezing conditions, consisting of artillery and rifle fire. This was immediately answered in the same style and the enemy retired. However, throughout the journey to Senekal, the Brigade came under daily fire, escorting supplies. This continued until the surrender of General Prinsloo on 18 July. For these days of fighting, those soldiers present were to be awarded the clasp "Wittebergen" to their Queen's South Africa Medal.

After this period of engagement, the Brigade were hurried up to Pretoria, arriving on 18 August. Here, they had little rest and from July to December, 1900, saw much marching and skirmishing with the enemy in the Western Transvaal area, being required to clear the Magaliesberg Mountains and the Witwater Range.

It was during these activities on 10 September 1900, that Batchelor was again brought to notice for his good work. De la Rey was occupying a strong position at Boschfontein on a long line of Konjes stretching across the valley. The brigade advanced at 7am from Heckpoort in attack formation and met with considerable resistance on the right of the line. It was not until mid afternoon that the main body of Boers were located and the Battalion advanced on this position to within 700 yds. Here they waited while mounted troops on the left tried to turn their position - this failed. Darkness was awaited and then the Battalion rushed the kopjes on which the Boers were located and captured the position, but at a cost of twelve wounded. Following this action, Battalion Orders stated:

'The following N.C.O.'s and men have been brought to the notice of the Commanding Officer for gallantry in the field in the action at Boeshfontein on the 10th inst. He has the greatest pleasure in publishing their names so that all the Battalion may know them..."D" Coy - 3339 Sgt. Batchelor.'

Official recognition of his gallantry was also recorded by the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Kitchener in his despatch dated 8 March 1901.

Marching, escorting and fighting continued through the rest of that year and into January 1901, where on 23 January, the mobile column left Oliphant's Nek and marched about eleven miles through a defile, being sniped at the whole time. Camp was set up at Middlefontein being surrounded by small kopjes on which were placed picquets as a guard against the Boers. However, during the night the enemy had moved nearer in increasing numbers and by dawn, had completely surrounded the camp. The picquets on the nearest kopjes were rushed by the Boers and had to be retaken and it was here that Batchelor came to prominent notice again. Orders were given to retake the kopjes and Batchelor, with his half company of men began to retake the position. During the attack, the officer, Lt. E.B. Hankey, (later Brigadier-General, CB., D.S.O.), was severely wounded and Batchelor, '...led his men with boldness and gallantry and firing and cheering, rushed the position and the post was safely in our hands again' (letter by Captain Bradish, 21 September 1953, refers).

The fighting did not stop at this. The next day the column was under attack again, but managed to force it's way out - the Worcesters fighting a rear guard action for a distance of six miles before the column was met and assisted by reinforcements under General Babington.

For this gallant action, Batchelor earned his D.C.M. and was again 'mentioned'.

Later that year, the situation changed considerably, with the arrival of the Battalion at Heilbron on 20 June 1901, where remaining in the vicinity, it manned the series of blockhouses which ran from Heilbron to Frankfort and the railway line running from Heilbron to Wolvehoek - a tedious and utterly monotonous time was had by all until the end of hostilities.

On 23 January 1902, he left South Africa and arrived at Southampton on 11 February to assist in the training of new recruits and militia men who were being posted to the newly created 3rd and 4th Battalions.

On 17 December 1902, he returned to South Africa, where he arrived on 7 January 1903.

Whilst in Bloemfontein, in a hand written letter to his brother William, he writes:

'Not had photograph taken yet, Bloemfontein.

But will not omit you, when I do. 16th June 1903

Dear Bill,

What you say I have forgot all about you, oh dear no, far from it. I should have wrote before, but since I have been out here this last time, I have had pretty well to do and as a rule it is all writing and head work, in which sorry to say, we are not very good friends. As often is the time that I have work to do which is almost beyond my ability. As you know we never had a lot of school, sorry to say, and it is now I wish I had more, but it is what we might say too late. Well it is nearly often the case we never see these wants of ours until it is too late.

I started to go to school some few weeks back, to try and work myself up for a higher certificate of Education, but at the present, have not made much progress as I don't seem to have too much spare time to allow me to devote in school work, although I have learned a lot what I never knew before. Of course we have nearly always something new to hand that has to be learned, to enable us to carry out our duties in times of peace, also in time of war. Of course the Boer War enlightened our smart War Office and Army a good deal and even since it started, also since it ended it has been a continual lot of changes in different things in connection with our Army of Today. I cannot say we are getting any smarter by it, well I might almost be right by saying we are worse. Of course I am all right, but it is the way others act that makes me so bitter against it. For a start, a steady man in the Army is thought very little of and I am sure if they would only encourage more privileges to the steady men, there would be afar better class of men in the Army. But still Bill I don't need their ways of working, as I do as I like and not as they would like me to be. I also can do my work very well, not that I care to flatter myself - oh no, I could never do that.

Well Bill, how is you and your wife, also Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters and your little family. I sincerely hope you are well and I pray to God that he will always keep you so. Kindly remember me to all, not forgetting your Charley, oh to be at Tea once more. I wonder how long it will be before I am able to give you a look up again. Our Great Redeemer above knows, but I nor you don't, but I hope he will spare us all so that our parting may not be severed forever. I expect I shall be abroad another 4 years, that is if all goes well, in which I hope will not only for me but for everybody and when I come home again, I think I shall finish what I shall have to do and that is a long time to look at. But still it is not so long, well not so long as I have already done, but vet)/ near it, as I scarcely have eleven in yet. So if I finish for my full pension I have a little over ten to do - oh roll on ten years. But I am still growing older - it would be all right if we still remained young and strong.

There is not a lot of alteration in this country yet and I expect it will be years before the difference will be noticed Oh hasn't the Boers finished quiet - not such a thing as a small quarrel anywhere. I guess they had enough in the last fight for home and dear country, well I might say we all had. Of course many made fortunes - well, more made than lost. Except some of the most unfortunates lost some of their most dear to them.

I don't go out much for as a rule I only go to the Cathedral on a Sunday evening and that is not every Sunday, as I have not always the time to spare, as it is a long walk from our camp to the town. Well I may be right in saying four or five miles and then there is coming back, but I don't go to the town service, I go to the one in camp. Of course we are marched to church every Sunday, so you see they have a little christian for us, but I would go every day if I could as I don't think we can ever know too much of our dear Lord. I wish I knew more and I am sure our earth of wickedness would be a lot more happier; also a lot more happiness in some of the dear little English homes they would only spare a little more time in prayer. Of course, I am still very steady and pray I may always remain so, as I assure you it is much better than leading a life, as some of our predecessors have set before us.

I hope you have got plenty of work, also your Father and Brothers. Of course, I have always got something that wants doing, but I do a bit and leave a bit, so that all comes out well in the end. I don't mind of course - I get well paid for it so I cannot grumble. I expect you are still at the old wire bench. I wonder fI only had stopped at the Battery, I often think what I should have developed into perhaps a Crabtree or "Gaffer Jack", but I should hope not, well it is hard to say. How is your cousin Hollis faring on, is he still in the Army, but I think he must have left, or he would have been out here when I came back. My stay was not long around merry little England was it, but I could not settle down at all. Of course, no one in this world is no fonder than home and parents than I am, but what good would .1 be to them or myself if I was doing nothing or even working for £1 a week and nothing found And then there is short work and holidays to come off that. There is one good thing attached to the Army and that is you get paid work or play, also well clothed and it is rather a well paying profession after all. And a young man joining the Army with a good education, there is more prospects for a good living than there is outside, especially a man with a quiet and temperate habits. Of course it is like civil life, if you have a LI and spend a £1, you cannot expect to have that £1.

Well Bill, rubbish this time is plentiful, so I must think of coming to a conclusion. Pleased to say I am all right and pray we will for ever and aye remain so. We are just getting our winter, oh how strange our world is controlled - you are getting your spring. Is there many leaving the old Selly Oak to come out here? Well Bill, I must conclude for now, hoping to hear from you at your earliest conscience. Hoping you will remember me to all, Hinton, Budd, Harbourn, etc, etc, leaving me as when at school.

Good night all. God bless and keep us all under his care, in life till we meet again.

True for ever. Jim.

3339 C.Sjt. J. Batchelor, 2 Worcestershire Regt., Bloemfontein.'

Returning from South Africa, Batchelor became qualified as an instructor of Musketry on 26 September1904 and at the Royal Small Arms, Sparkbrook, Birmingham on 16 March 1905, was certified in the correct methods of keeping:

Magazine Lee-Metford, Mk. 1,11 and III
Lee-Enfield, Mk. I and II, and Martini-Enfield Carbine.

Also whilst home he obviously found time for courting and married his wife, Minnie on 26 December 1904 in Handsworth, Birmingham.

Remaining with the Battalion until 1908, Batchelor was promoted to Sergeant Major and transferred to the Stourport Company of the 7th (Territorial) Battalion as Sergeant-Instructor.

Through his leadership, within two years the company had become the strongest in the Battalion; his skills being recognised, he was then transferred to the Headquarters of the Battalion based at The Shrubbery, Kidderminster. Here Batchelor remained until retiring at the age of 39 years, on 12 September, 1913, having served 21 years with the colours, 8 years and 44 days having been spent overseas.

At the time of his retirement, members of the Headquarter Companies of the 7th Battalion were entertained to dinner at the Corn Exchange, Worcester, presided over by Captain Homfray. During the prize giving, Captain Dore presented a black marble cased dining room clock to Sergeant Major Batchelor to commemorate his retirement and in a speech outlining his career and medals earned, including the Distinguished Conduct Medal, stated,

'...that he displayed great courage and skill which should have entitled him to the V.C..'

Whereupon, support for the statement was displayed by shouts of "Hear, Hear !"

Settling down to what he thought was retirement, he was met, within a year, for a call to arms at the outbreak of the Great War - his skills and abilities were to be put to good use and were recognised in his being commissioned Lieutenant and Quartermaster on 21 July 1915 and posted in that capacity to the newly formed 14th (Severn Valley Pioneers) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment on it's formation on 10 September 1915.

The Severn Valley Pioneers were raised by Colonel Sir Henry Webb, M.P., at his own expense and eventually taken over as a service battalion by the War Office on 20 March 1916. On 20 June 1916, the 14th Battalion moved from Codford to Southampton by train and embarked their ship at 1.30 pm, sailed at 6.30 pm and arrived at Le Havre on the morning of 21 June.

After 24 hrs. rest the Battalion entrained for the front and came under the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They spent the next three months reinforcing the defences in the area of Bois de la Haie, facing Vimy Ridge. Here, they were under constant shelling, but luckily, casualties between 1 July and 17 September were 4 killed and 8 wounded. After this date, the Battalion moved out of the line and took up training to the beginning of October.

On October 4, the Battalion moved towards the Somme front and there, laboured on defence works until the 12 November, whereupon it was to take part in the final battle for the Somme - the Battle of the Ancre on the following day. In this engagement, 2 officers and 6 men were killed and 48 men wounded with 3 missing.

The Battalion continued to remain in this area, often working under heavy shell fire and on 3 February 1917, the Naval Brigade attacked trenches north of the Awe and were engaged in continuous fighting for 48 hrs. And again on 17 February, when they erected important wire entanglements in front of the captured German trenches. Work continued to further consolidate their new position over the next month, under continuous shell fire, after which the Battalion moved from the front line in the first week of March, where further training could take place.

April 1917 saw the Battalion move to the Arras battlefield area and they participated in the attacks of the 23 April and the capture and defence of Gavrelle.

From May to September 1917, the Battalion sent out working parties to repair roads and defences, but on 24 September, orders were received to move northwards to the Ypres area and it took part in the battle of Poelcappelle, working under testing conditions and often under heavy shelling.

During October, November and into early December, the 14th Battalion worked incessantly on strengthening the trench systems and gun pits during the attacks to gain the Passchendaele Ridge. It was under continuous shell fire and enemy aircraft bombed the railway lines, supply dumps and camps by night. Even after the final assault on the ridge on 6 November, the Battalion was employed in small groups about the battlefield, consolidating the new positions.

It was on 7 November 1917 that Batchelor received a Mention in Despatches by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig, which appeared in the London Gazette of 18 December 1917.

In December, the Battalion moved south from the Ypres area and by the 17th, were in reserve positions in the area of Villers Plouich on the Cambrai front. They remained in the line until the 23 January, where they had laboured under freezing conditions to restore and maintain the defences following an intense bombardment and attack at the end of December.

On 23 January 1918, the C.O. of the Battalion, Lt. Col. Caldier Ladd, sent a personal message to Batchelor, praising his efforts and those of his men:

Quartermaster

I feel I should like to express my appreciation of the efficient way in which you and your staff and the Quartermaster Sergeants dealt with the rations on the first occasion when they had to be delivered to us under Front Line conditions.
Will you please let the other ranks under you know.

A. Caldier Ladd
Commanding 14th Bn., Worcestershire Regt. (Pioneers)

After a period of rest and training, the Battalion returned to the front lines again - to the same positions - where it remained until March, being subjected to several horrifying attacks when the enemy bombed with mustard gas, which caused many casualties, (between 12 and 20 March, 9 officers and 196 men had to be evacuated).

On 21 March, 1918, the German Spring Offensive was launched and the Battalion were not alone in coming under a heavy barrage of high explosive and mustard gas shells. Over the next two days, the Battalion retired to pre-determined lines of defence, which was their only hope of survival if they were not to be completely surrounded as both the lines to their left and right had been taken.

Having steadily retreated since the 21 March, under constant shell fire, by 25 March the Battalion occupied an area of the old Somme battlefield between the villages of Martinpuich and Courcelette - here they hastily dug in. As British troops retreated through their lines and formed up behind them, the 14th Battalion opened up rapid fire with rifle and Lewis gun at the great masses of pursuing enemy. Their advance was held up and for two hours, the Battalion held them in check, but suffered heavy casualties, including Lt. Col. Caldier Ladd, who died of his wounds.

During the day of the 25, the Battalion continued to delay the enemy's advance with a gallant fighting retreat, passing through Thiepval Wood and across the River Ancre during darkness.

During March 1918, the 14th Battalion suffered total casualties of 25 officers and 354 other ranks.

Throughout the summer months, the Battalion were held in reserve position, strengthening the defences should another great attack take place. During this time, shelling was generally light with few casualties, but two occasions of intense shelling occurred, where particular acts of gallantry were performed by both officers and men, earning the individuals Military Crosses and Distinguished Conduct Medals.

On 21 August, 1918, the 14th Battalion were involved in the push forward across the Ancre and had assembled at "Pigeon Wood", near Essarts, just north of Gommecourt. Although they were not part of the attacking Battalions, their role was to follow up the attacking troops and make the roads passable for the forward movement of artillery. Over the following days, this is precisely what they did, as the need for the services of the Pioneers of the 63rd Division were great.

The enemy having been pushed back under the unrelenting efforts of the Allied advance, they had withdrawn to a line of strong defensive positions across the Canal du Nord and it was here, on 27 September, that the Battalion laboured all through the previous night and during the early hours before the attack, in an effort to prepare the ground for the attacking Battalions.

At 5 am, the attack took place under intense shell fire and a hail of bullets and the Pioneers moved forward to the banks of the Canal to assemble crossings to allow the limbers and artillery pieces to keep up with the advancing troops and provide the much needed supportive barrage. As the battle progressed to Cambrai, the Battalion moved across the battle ground, labouring under intense shell fire and during the next five days, casualties amounted to 4 killed and 33 wounded.

The Battalion then rested in the reserve positions, but were again thrown forward in the final assault on Cambrai between the 7 and 9 October, where they laboured on road repair work just behind the line of attacking troops. It remained in the area until 1st November, where it then moved further east to Henin-Lietard, between Douai and Lens. However, no great advance was being made around this section of the line, but further south at Valenciennes, the advance was still very much in evidence and fresh troops were needed. On 6 November, the Battalion was placed under the orders of the Royal Engineers and the pioneers companies were distributed along the roads behind the advancing front, making the way clear for the movement of guns to the front line. For the next few days they laboured incessantly in the bitter cold and drizzling rain and by the 11 November were located at Harmignies.

At 0830 on the 11 November, a communiqué was issued to all troops, which read as follows:

"Hostilities will cease at 11.00 hours Nov. 11th. All troops will stand fast on line reached at that hour which will be reported to D.H.Q. All defensive precautions will be maintained and an outpost line established. There will be no parleying with the enemy who if he attempts to come over will be sent back by an officer. Addressed to all concerned.

Major General, Commanding, 63rd (R.N.) Division'

The close of hostilities had little effect on the work of The Pioneers. The 14th Battalion continued to labour around the area of Mons - road construction, demolition and bridge building, but their efforts provided great support to the returning inhabitants.

On 27 November 1918, Batchelor was granted special leave to England and rejoined the Battalion again on 16 December. On 5 December, the Battalion was visited by King George V, who praised their labours. Christmas Day, 1918 commenced with a Divine Service under the Commanding Officer, Major H.C. Maben, D.S.O., MC., at 0930hrs, with a non-conformists service at 1015hrs. Boxing Day saw a Battalion Sports Day and Concert Evening - all very different from the previous two years activities during which the Battalion were on active service.

On 20 March 1919, Batchelor was once more allowed leave to England and returned on 12 April. During the Spring of 1919, the unit were gradually reduced in strength, its' members being transferred to other Battalions within the Regiment or sent home for demobilisation. By April, preparations were being made for the disbandment of the Battalion and finally on 20 June, the small cadre of officers and men left Boulogne for Dover.

On 23 June 1919, the remains of the 14th Battalion marched through the City of Worcester and were met by a welcome so richly deserved. They hung up their colours in the Cathedral after three years on active service and then marched to Norton Barracks, where officers and men were demobilised.

On 23 August, a Victory Parade took place in Worcester, consisting of upwards of 2500 officers and men of the Worcestershire Regiment. Captain Batchelor was present on this march and was one of three officers representing the Service Battalions of the Regiment.

Batchelor retired from the Army and settled down into civilian life in Selly Oak, Birmingham. What employment he then undertook is unknown, but he was a regular attendee of the 14th Battalion Annual Reunion Dinners and maintained his connections with the Regiment to the last. At every reunion, he would close the ceremony with his rendition of "Clementine", which he sang in the battlefields of France and Flanders during those dark days of the war, cheering many by his singing of this song. On 7 November 1931, he was Chairman of the 14th Battalion Reunion Dinner.

In 1950, Batchelor was rewarded for his distinguished service furthermore with the award of the M.S.M. as per Army Order 98, at the age of 75 years. He died on 21 March 1953 aged 78 years and was cremated at Lodge Hill Crematorium, Birmingham - a sad loss to the Regiment and all who knew him.


Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

(i)

Monthly Settlements and Savings Bank Account.

(ii)
Account Book or Pocket Ledger.

(iii)
Second Class Certificate of Education.

(iv)
Swimming certificate for 200 yards.

(v)
Certificate Showing Qualifications in Military Subjects for the Rank of Sergeant.

(vi)
Description Card for Active Service.

(vii)
Booklet for the Worcestershire Regiment for 1901.

(viii)
Letter to "Bill" dated 16 June 1903 sent from Bloemfontein.

(ix)
Army Inspection Department certificate for instruction in the lee Metford Rifle and Martini-Enfield Carbine.

(x)
Envelope addressed to him at 4 Shrubbery Cottages, Kidderminster dated 24 July 1913.

(xi)
A photograph of him in uniform with his brother.

(xii)
Newspapers articles, original and copied.

(xiii)
Parchment Certificate dated 4 September 1913.

(xiv)
Pressed card identity tag.

(xv)
Warrant for promotion to Quartermaster dated 17 July 1915.

(xvi)
Mentioned in Despatches certificate dated 7 November 1917.

(xvii)
Menu for a reunion dinner in London on 7 November 1931 for the 14th Worcestershire Regiment.

(xviii)
Memorial note relating to his death on 21 March 1953 and correspondence to his daughter, birth certificate for his son dated 12 August 1894.



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Sold for
£6,000

Starting price
£3800