Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A Second World War North Africa operations M.C. group of seven awarded to Captain R. Batten, Staffordshire Yeomanry, attached 8th Royal Tank Regiment (R.A.C.), who was decorated for his gallantry in the breakout from El Alamein in November 1942 - he was subsequently killed in action in Italy in September 1944
Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1942’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (Lt. R. Batten, M.C., Staffs. Yeo.), together with the recipient’s Army Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Captain R. Batten’, and card forwarding box addressed to ‘Mrs. S. A. Batten’, generally good very fine

The Great War pair awarded to his father Private W. H. Batten, London Regiment
British War and Victory Medals (493418 Pte. W. H. Batten, 13-Lond. R.), good very fine (9) £1800-2200

M.C. London Gazette 31 December 1942. The original recommendation for an immediate states:

‘During the attack on the night of 1-2 November 1942, at Tell el Aqqaqir, in co-operation with 151st Brigade, the lights marking the minefield gap had been dislodged owing to the artillery barrage. As a result the support weapons of the Infantry Companies, the 8th Royal Tanks and elements of 9th Armoured Brigade and 10 Corps were held up. Without waiting for orders and under heavy enemy artillery and machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Batten went forward on foot to find the gaps. Working under extreme difficulty because the enemy had now opened up mortar fire on the original gaps, Lieutenant Batten led through on foot the first vehicles and then went back to the entrance to ensure that no one missed the gap. By this officer’s action in the face of heavy enemy fire, his complete disregard for personal safety and his coolness, he was responsible for getting the above mentioned troops through to help them on their final objective before first light. He set a very fine example of personal courage and is strongly recommended for an immediate award.’

Reginald Batten, a pre-war member of the Staffordshire Yeomanry (Territorials), won his M.C. for the above cited exploits during the breakout from El Alamein in November 1942. Subsequently embarked for Italy, he was killed in action in the heavy fighting around Gemmano Ridge, during the drive on Rimini, on 8 September 1944. Aged 30 years, he was the son of William Hayter Batten and Sarah Ann Batten, of Hanwell, Middlesex. He was buried in the Gradara War Cemetery, near Cattolica.