9671 Private Frederick Batten
8th(Service) Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Born in Ottery, St Mary, Devon in 1896.
His parents were Ernest William Batten(born in 1875) and Kate Susan Morgan(1876-1920). They were married in 1895.
He had 4 brothers; Ernest William (1902-1980),
Percy James(1903-1934),Arthur(21/07/1904-1982) and Gilbert(1910-1957).
He also had 2 sisters;Minnie Kate(1897-1965) and
Flora Elizabeth(08/05/1899-1974).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living in Payhembury, Devon.Fred's father was employed as a agricultural cowman.
In the 1911 census Fred was living on
Coombehayes Farm,Buckerell Nr Ottery St Mary ,Devon working as a domestic servant,His family were still living in Payhembury with his father employed as a farm labourer.
He enlisted in Ottery St Mary into the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment before later transferring to the 8th(Service) Battalion Devonshire Regiment.
His date of disembarkation into France was on 22/08/1914 and he was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star with clasp,
the British war 1914-1918 and the Allied Victory medals.