Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 161

A Great War D.C.M. group of six to Private R. Batchelor, Worcestershire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (66258 Pte R. Batchelor. 1/Worc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (66258 Pte. R. Batchelor. Worc. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.Vi.R., Territorial (3299313 Pte. R. Batchelor. 9-H.L.I.) light contact marks otherwise very fine (6)

D.C.M. London Gazette 2 December 1919

On the 7th October, 1918, south of Oppy, during the whole day he showed marked gallantry and the maximum of eagerness to keep in touch with the enemy. At a critical moment in the attack he crawled ahead along the parados under heavy machine gun and rifle fire and inflicted heavy casualties by Lewis Gun fire upon the enemy. His skilful firing of rifle grenades on several occasions enabled his section to advance and make ground good with no casualties.

Robert Batchelor was born in Dundee, Scotland on 16 November 1899. On 18 February 1918, he enlisted for active military service initially with the Royal Scots, but was posted to the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. It is not known at which point he joined the Battalion, but assuming that his training occurred quickly, he may have joined them by the spring of 1918, although it is more likely that he was a part of 3 large drafts that urgently joined the 1st Battalion between 18 - 26 June 1918, following the below action in the Battle of the Aisne in May / June. (However, his Active Service Pay Book, for use in the field, records his first pay as being awarded on 15th August, 1918, so perhaps joined his regiment only a week before this date, as the pay awards appear to have been made weekly after this date).

At the end of April it had been decided that certain of the British Divisions which had borne the brunt of the fighting on the Somme and on the Lys should be transferred to the French front in order to give them an opportunity to recuperate; for the enemy had as yet made no serious attack against the French Armies.

The Divisions thus transferred to the French front were to form part of definite French Armies and to come under their command. The 8th Division, including the 1st Worcestershire, was among the first to be despatched to the new front. Other Divisions were sent south at the same time, among which were the 25th Division, including the 3rd Worcestershire. Later the 19th Division, including the 10th Worcestershire, also came south to join the forces under French command.

The move of the 8th Division took place early in May. On 2 May the 1st Worcestershire marched from Camon past Amiens to Guignemicourt. Next evening (10 p.m., 3 May) the Battalion entrained at Saleux.

At 3.00 p.m. on 4 May, the train reached Fismes. The Battalion marched southwards to Chary Chartreuve. There the 1st Worcestershire remained in camp for five days, cleaning up and training. On May 8 the Battalion was inspected by the Commander of the French Army Group, General Franchet d'Esperey (Commanding the French Sixth Army).

On 10 May came orders that the 8th Division would relieve the French 71st Division in the front line, and the 1st Worcestershire marched through the pleasant countryside of Champagne, by way of Fismes, Courlandon and Ventelay, to Roucy on the banks of the River Aisne.

During the second week of May the 1st Worcestershire moved up into the front line. After a night at Roucy, the Battalion crossed the River Aisne on 11 May by the bridge at Pontavert and relieved the French 221st Regiment in the trenches facing Juvincourt.

The trenches were deep, strong and safe, the communications were excellent; no fewer than thirteen bridges spanned the river behind the British front. Gun-fire was rarely heard. The month of May was at its best, the weather and the countryside alike were delightful, and the enemy's infantry opposite were very quiet: quiet at any rate during the first four days that the 1st Worcestershire spent in the front line. Casualties 1st Worcestershire: 12 - 16 May, 2 wounded. On the night of 17/18 May the Worcestershire were relieved by the 2nd Northamptonshire and marched back across the river to billets in Ventelay.

After some days spent in training the Battalion moved forward again across the river on the evening of 24 May and relieved the 2nd Northamptonshire in the "battle-zone" trenches of the 24th Brigade. The Northamptonshire took over the " forward-zone " trenches from the Sherwood Foresters, and the Foresters moved back across the river into reserve.

On the left of the 8th Division, the 50th Division now held the front line as far as Craonne: on the right the 21st Division was in position along the canal in front of Cormicy: in reserve was the 25th Division.

THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE, 1918

From 1.00 a.m; on 27 May onwards for some three hours, shells and trench-mortar bombs had been rained upon the British trenches north of the Aisne. At 4.0 a.m. the first "S.O.S." rockets went up from the front line, showing that the enemy were attacking.

The mist was dense, and it was not possible to see more than thirty or forty yards. Through the mist German tanks and infantry advanced. Some of the tanks came up the valley of the Miette and soon the 2nd Northamptonshire were fighting desperately against odds.

The anti-tank guns of the Division were disposed in the second system of defence. In that dense mist they could give no help to the Northamptonshire, two hundred yards in front, and eventually that brave battalion was overwhelmed. The German tanks rumbled forward through the mist, closely followed by their infantry, towards the second system of trenches, the position of the 1st Worcestershire.

The trenches held by the Battalion were strong and well-sited, on the level ground across which runs the main road from Berry-au-Bac to Corbeny. The first waves of the German attack struck the forward trenches of the 1st Worcestershire about 5 a.m. and were beaten back by rapid fire; but more and more of the enemy came on from every direction through the mist. Light machine-guns were established in shell-holes and raked the defenders' parapets from front and flank while, covered by their fire, parties of "Storm-troops" dashed in to close quarters. At many points there were fierce hand-to-hand struggles, and the crashing roar of the firing echoed through the mist.

Thus the battle continued with pockets of heavily depleted troops desperately attempting to repulse an overwhelming enemy. Colonel Grogan of the Battalion, (then acting Brigadier-General), commanding the 23rd Brigade, witnessing the collapse of all resistance, inspired both French and British troops to hold the line, riding up and down the parapet on his horse in the face of withering shell, rifle and machine gun fire - no further retreat in that section of the line took place - he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Such were the losses to the entire Division, that the 1st Battalion could not operate as such for a period of about 6 weeks and new drafts of officers and men supplemented the decimated battalion in June.

In late July, the 1st Battalion were again able to properly function and took up periodic duty in the front line trenches. Gradually, a series of Allied counter attacks along certain key points had broken the Hindenburg Line and had begun to send the Germans into recoil, but strong defences were still being created by the enemy.

THE ADVANCE TO DOUAI.

The breaking of the Hindenburg Line was followed by a general advance of the Allied Armies and a recoil of the German forces all along the front. The rapid advance of the British attacking troops along the southern bank of the River Sensee across the Canal du Nord to Cambrai had compelled them to form a long defensive flank to face the enemy still in position on the northern bank of the Sensee, south and west of Douai. Those forces of the enemy might conceivably make a counterthrust southwards against that extended flank. To obviate that danger it was desirable that the British forces between Lens and Arras should take the offensive and should advance eastward towards Douai.

The British Commander-in-Chief had not intended to make any great attack on the battle-front in Artois north of the River Scarpe. Troops and guns were not available in sufficient numbers to justify an additional battle in that direction. But it was ascertained that the Germans were weakening their forces in Artois to feed the main battle further south; and that knowledge led General Heneker, commanding the 8th Division, to believe that a series of minor attacks might be successful in driving back the enemy. Permission was obtained to begin offensive operations, and during the first week in October the necessary preparations were made. Then the advance began; and in that advance much hard fighting fell to the 1st Battalion of the Regiment.

On the front of the 8th Division the German trenches were supported by two strong defensive lines, known to the British staff as the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line and the Drocourt-Queant Line. West of the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line the enemy originally had constructed another elaborate line of defences, which had run northwards from Roeux through Gavrelle, Oppy, Fresnoy, and Acheville, towards Mericourt and on to Lens ; but that trench system had been breached in the Arras battles of 1917, and the British hold on it had never since been relaxed. It was not yet wholly in British hands, and, as we have already seen, much sharp fighting had taken place among its maze of trenches. Those trenches were commanded to a great extent from the height of " Greenland Hill " on their right flank : that height was still in the enemy's hands, and hitherto progress had been difficult. " Greenland Hill " Was the key of the situation, and plans were made for its capture. On 3rd October the front of the 8th Division was extended to cover the trenches facing " Greenland Hilt" which were taken over by the 23rd Brigade, commanded by Colonel G. W. St. G. Grogan V.C. The attack on the hill was fixed for 7th October and simultaneous minor attacks were to be made at the same time along the whole front of the Division.

The 1st Worcestershire were then holding a system of captured German trenches between Gavrelle and Oppy-the ground on which the 14th Battalion had been engaged during the Battle of Arleux. In front of the trenches occupied by the Battalion was a maze of trenches held by the enemy, some wrecked and deserted, others occupied at intervals with machine-gun posts cunningly sited to sweep all the open ground; and the exact position of those hidden machine-guns was not easy to discover.

During the night of 6th/7th October, a daring reconnaissance was carried out by 2nd Lieutenant S. C. Johnson and Company-Sergeant-Major G. Crump of " B " Company. Together they worked their way forward across the broken ground to the enemy's line, and accurately located the positions of four of the German machine-guns. Thanks to the information thus gained, Major Roberts was enabled to make a detailed plan of attack; and before dawn all was ready.

The Battalion was disposed with " B " Company, commanded by Captain R. A. O'Donovan, in the front-line trenches and the other three companies in support trenches behind. " B " Company was to open the attack. In front the enemy were holding a trench called " Oppy Support " from which projected two saps, "Cruet" and Chalk.' Those two saps would be attacked from the south by two platoons under 2nd Lieutenant S. C. Johnson, while another platoon of " B " Company under Lieut. H F. Wilkins would fight their way down " Oppy Support " from its northern end, where the junction of that trench and Link Trench " was already in our hands.

No great force of artillery could be spared to support the attack; but a battery of trench mortars was in position. For the rest the troops would trust to their own bombs and bayonets.

In the darkness before the dawn 2nd Lieutenant Johnson and Sergeant-Major Crump led forward the two platoons for the southern attack and formed them outside the trenches near the railway, facing north about a hundred yards from the enemy's line. At the same time Lieutenant Wilkins brought his platoon into position at the trench junction further north.

Then all lay quiet until, as the first light showed in the eastern sky, the trench-mortars suddenly opened fire. For two minutes their bombs hurtled through the air and burst around the located positions of the German machine-guns. Then the trench mortars ceased fire, and the two platoons of the southern attack rose to their feet and charged. Sergeant-Major Crump headed the dash which entered the enemy's trench, while 2nd Lieutenant Johnson led another party round the left flank of the enemy's defence and cut off their retreat. Private A. King showed great initiative and courage, personally capturing thirteen prisoners. Several of the enemy got away and fell back up " Oppy Support," only to meet Lieutenant Wilkins platoon bombing down the trench. Then for a few minutes the trapped enemy fought desperately. Lieutenant Wilkins and his platoon sergeant were both hit; but Lance Sergeant W. Seale rushed forward, led on the attack and killed several of the enemy. A splendid example of courage was given by the leading bayonet-man of the foremost bombers, Private W. T. A. Brown, who in spite of a shower of bombs pressed resolutely forward, his cool demeanour and determined manner steadying the young soldiers
behind him.

After a short fight the enemy's resistance collapsed. Some broke out of the trench and tried to escape to the line behind, only to be shot down as they ran; the remainder surrendered. Thirty-eight prisoners were taken, with four machine-guns.

Then " D " Company came up to the fight. The lack of supporting artillery compelled their movement to be restricted to a bombing attack up the trenches; for it was impossible to make any advance across the open in face of the enemy's machine-guns, now firing continuously from every direction. Forming up in " Link Trench," " D " Company bombed their way eastward along that trench towards the main Fresnes-Rouvroy Line. As the main trench was neared the enemy's opposition grew stubborn, bombs came flying through the air in every direction and several men were hit; but "D" Company pushed on.

After a short but desperate fight the attacking bombers beat down the resistance and entered the main trench. A defensive post was established at the junction of " Link Trench " with the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line. Then one platoon pushed northwards up the main trench to gain touch with the Sherwood Foresters, while the remainder of " D " Company started to bomb their way along, the trench to the southward. Some ground was gained, but the enemy's resistance stiffened and developed into a definite counter-attack. The bombs of "D" Company ran out and and for a moment the situation was serious. Private R. Batchelor scrambled out of the trench with his Lewis-gun. Heedless of a hail of bullets from rifles and machine-guns, he crawled forward along the parados until he could bring his weapon to shoot straight down the trench into the enemy; and then with burst after burst of fire he held the German bombers at bay. Thus covered, the young soldiers of " D " Company felt back in safety to the trench-junction.

Help was at hand. Two platoons of "C" Company were led forward by Captain A. E. Prosser along " Link Trench." These passed through " D " Company and renewed the attack down the trench. A hard fight followed; but " C " Company were not to be denied. Headed by Captain Prosser they rushed two machine-guns in succession, capturing 17 prisoners. The German bomb's fought desperately, defending each section of trench in succession, and several times holding up the attack; but, each time the resistance was beaten down by Lieutenant C. Davies, who scrambled on to the parapet and rushed forward with a rifle, shooting down into the crowded trench. Thanks to his reckless courage, the enemy were forced back along the trench for nearly a mile; and "C" Company cleared the front line of the Fresnes-Rouvroy system as far south as " Corn Trench" capturing 36 prisoners and several machine-guns.

The crash of bombs and the rattle of musketry continued after darkness fell. On the left touch had been gained with the Sherwood Foresters; that battalion had cleared Oppy, but was suffering severely from the fire of two large trench-mortars ensconced in the ruins of Nevereuil, which they were unable to approach from the northern side; so after dark Captain Prosser led forward a party to attack those mortars. Working from shell hole to shell hole across the broken trenches, Captain Prosser and his men rushed the mortars with the bayonet, captured them and dragged them back in triumph.

That night the firing died away and losses were reckoned; which proved unexpectedly light, less than 20 in all. The day had been very successful. Away to the southward Colonel Grogan's Brigade had captured " Greenland Hill " and the trenches around Biache St. Vaast.

After a quiet night, all made ready to renew the fight next morning. In the first light (8th October) the Worcestershire bombers advanced cautiously; but no opposition was met. The enemy had abandoned their support trenches, had completely evacuated the Fresnes-Rouvroy Line, and had retreated across the open to their next system of defences, the Drocourt-Queant Line, nearly two miles away.

Outposts were established in the open country; and after dark on 8th October a daring Worcestershire patrol made their way forward up the road from Nevireuil to Izel, as far as the outskirts of the latter village. There they took cover and listened for some time to the talking of the enemy outposts along the ruined houses before making their way back. Late that night the 2nd Northamptonshire; hitherto in reserve, came forward through the captured line and advanced across country. The Northamptonshire established a new line close to Izel, while behind them the Worcestershire laboured during the next few days on improving the defences of the captured trenches.

For his gallantry during this fight, Private Batchelor was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Batchelor was transferred to the Reserve on 1 December 1919. He joined the 6th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry on 17 May 1920 at Glasgow and was discharged at Perth on 16 May 1925.

After the War he became a Tailor. He also appeared to have liked the military life and enlisted into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 17 May 1925, immediately after leaving the Highland L.I. He served at Home throughout WW2 as a Tailor with No. 5 Company, R.A.O.C., rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was discharged on 3 July 1946, with a military conduct of "Very Good", plus a testimonial:

"Has done very good work as a Tailor, for which he is fully qualified. Efficient, reliable and trustworthy"

It seems as though Robert Batchelor could not let go of Army life and continued with the Territorial R.A.O.C. unit in Glasgow as a Stores Quartermaster Sergeant, until 1 November 1958, from which he was presented with a Certificate of Service congratulating him for his Meritorious Service.

A life lived, dedicated to service.

The lot comes with the following archive:

(i)
Telegram from Lieutenant General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston congratulating him on the award of the D.C.M.

(ii)
Certificate of Transfer to Reserve on Demobilization, dated 1 December 1919.

(iii)
Certificate of discharge dated 11 April 1921.

(iv)
Discharge Certificate for the Defence Force, dated 4 July 1921.

(v)
Certificate of Discharge from the Highland Light Infantry dated 16 June 1925.

(vi)
Birth Certificate, re-issued for 28 February 1938.

(vi)
Soldier's Release Book dated for 3 July 1946, confirming he served as a Tailor attached to No.5 Company Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

(vii)
Certificate of Transfer to the Army Reserve, dated 9 July 1946.

(viii)
Soldier's Service Books (2) covering late Great War and Second World War service.

(ix)
Driving Licence.

(x)
Certificate from the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association of the County of the City of Glasgow, dated 1 November 1958.

(xi)
Assorted photographs taken throughout his lifetime.



Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£1200