Clarence Henry Batt
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9 Jun 1885 |
| Place of Birth | Wongong, Western Australia |
| Death | 17 Jan 1954, aged 68 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 30 years, 9 months |
| Description |
5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 185 lbs 83.915 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Horse drive |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Address | Holyoake, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Agnes Lillian Batt |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1102 |
| Date of Enlistment | 11 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, D Company / 3rd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 June 1916 ‒ 26 July 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A62 Wandilla |
| Date of Return | 31 March 1919 ‒ 3 May 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Khyber |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Not known |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
In 1908 Clarence married Agnes Lillian Moore in Beverley. Agnes died on 7 Sep 1962 in Hamilton Hill, aged 82. Electoral Roll entries - 1909 - 1912 with brother Ernest Albert and their wives at 'Oakwood', Popanyinning, farmers. At the time of his enlistment Clarence is a horse driver at Wuraming near Holyoake, and Agnes is in Holyoake.
War Service
Having been posted to Pioneers a month after entering Blackboy Hill camp, he was sent to Melbourne to complete his training, and shipped out for England with his unit, the 3rd Pioneer Battalion from there aboard HMAT A62 Wandilla.
In England they spent some time in the Larkhill camp preparing for France. The battalion entrained in Larkhill for Amesbury on three trains on the morning of 24 Nov 1916, and at Amesbury they caught three other trains to Southampton where the majority of the battalion boarded the HMT Caeserea, and the rest the HMT Nirvanna.
Both ships arrived in Le Havre at 4.30am on 25 Nov 1916 and a day later the battalion entrained for Armentiès.
On 28 Dec 1916 Clarence was seen by the 10th Field Ambulance and admitted to the 7th General Hospital at St Omer (two days after brother Ernest) also suffering with mumps. He rejoined his unit on 18 Jan 1917 the same day as brother Ernest. Clarence enjoyed an extended leave in England from 28 Feb 1918 to 14 Mar 1918, following a lengthy period with his unit without breaks. On his return to his unit he was appointed Driver on 30 May 1918.
On 8 Dec 1918 he presented to the 10th Field Ambulance with Influenza, and was transferred by Ambulance to the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Abbeville the same day. Placed on Ambulance Train No.6 on 22 Dec 1918 he was embarked on the HMHS St Denis for England where he was admitted to the Princess Christian Hospital in Englefield Green, Surrey on Christmas Day. On 6 Jan 1919 he transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford before being released to No 1 Command Depot on 9 Jan 1919 for furlough and then return to Australia. Clarence was discharged by the 5th Military District on 8 Jul 1919.
Post War
1922 - 1931 a contractor at Holyoake; 1936 orchardist at Dwellingup; 1943 stock agent in George street, Pinjarra; 1952 -54 Bunbury road, Armadale. Lillian remains in Armadale until 1958 when she moved to Hamilton Hill.
Five daughters
Notes