Thomas Batey

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 25/09/2016 - 13:35

First Name:

Thomas (Tom)

Last Name:

Batey

Mother's Name:

Susannah Batey nee Little

Father's Name:

William Batey

Date Enlisted:

Friday, January 21, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Sergeant

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

Tunnelling Company 4

Company:

1st

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Thomas Batey (Service No 3569) was born in Streator, Illinois, USA arond 1884. In 1909 he married Agnes Laidlaw in England, and Tom & Agnes came to after 1911.

At enlistment, Tom was 32 years old, employed as a miner, and lived at Balgownie, N.S.W. Tom had served 4 years in the Coldstream Guards.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A69 Warialda with Tunnel Company 4, Headquarters 1 on 22nd May 1916 with the rank of Sergeant. He arrived in England on 18th July 1916. On 3rd August, Tom arrived in France, then joined up with 1st Tunnel Company on 25th September 1916. He saw service on the Western Front; on 29th January 1918 received a minor wound but was able to remain on duty.

Tom returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on 17th August 1919.

Agnes died in Wollongong, N.S.W. in 1944, after which Thomas went to New Zealand. In 1949 Tom wrote the Army asking about a pension.

Thomas' service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 11914-1918.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BATEY T