Dec 24, 1893

Born in Plumstead, London, England to George Herbert and Margaret Clarke (nee Dow) Batley

Jul 31, 1907

Embarked the SS Lake Champlain in Liverpool, England with his parents and siblings

Aug 10, 1907

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and the family proceeded to Peterborough, Ontario

Nov 4, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59043 (temporary number 594)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Margaret Batley, mother, 521 Champlain St., Peterborough, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø      Previous military experience given as 57^th Regiment, Canadian Militia for 5 years

Ø      Religion given as Baptist

Ø      Assigned to 10 Platoon, “E” Company

o       This was later reorganized into 10 Platoon, “C” Company 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Shortly after attestation he was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 11, 1915

While onboard ship his rank was reduced to his permanent grade of Private

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jun 23, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in the rank of L/Cpl

Sep 7, 1915

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl T Jackson, 59500, who had been promoted.

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 From the Peterborough Examiner, January 19, 1916

Apr 22, 1916

While out on a working party at night, he was partially buried by the explosion of an artillery shell.  After getting dug out, he carried on forward for another 50 yards before being knocked unconscious by the nearby explosion of another shell.  He was knocked unconscious, but tried to carry on.  He eventually realized the headaches, dizziness and tremors required attention.

Apr 24, 1916

Admitted to the No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Neurasthenia Shell, in other words, Shell Shock.

Apr 25, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 CFA

Apr 27, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 CFA.  He was transferred again the same day to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 29, 1916

Transferred to the No. 50 CCS and then to the No. 15 CCS the same day

May 14, 1916

Transferred to the No. 8 British Red Cross Hospital in Paris Plage, near Calais, France

May 19, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe

On arrival in England he was admitted to the No. 5 Northern General Hospital, Leicester

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the King’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Bushy Park

Jul 27, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital in Buxton

Sep 26, 1916

Transferred to the Westcliffe Canadian Eye and Ear Hospital in Folkestone where Pharyngitis (a throat infection) was added to the diagnosis

Oct 19, 1916

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Ramsgate where Flat Feet was added to the diagnosis of Shell Shock and Pharyngitis

Nov 14, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC in Shoreham

Nov 15, 1916

On Command to the Garrison Duty Depot in Shoreham for duty

Mar 2, 1917

Attached to the CAPC (Canadian Army Pay Corps) in London for duty

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in Hastings and placed On Command to the Garrison Duty Depot

Apr 4, 1917

Posted to the CAPC in London

Apr 13, 1917

Admitted to the 4^th London General Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Tonsillitis

Apr 19, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 1, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant/Clerk with pay

May 6, 1919

Attached to the No. 2 Wing, Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

May 8, 1919

Attached to the Military District #5 in Rhyl for Quarters and Rations, and posted to “C” Company

May 21, 1919

Embarked the SS Carmania in Liverpool

May 29, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

Jun 2, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Quebec City 

Ø      Rank on discharge Acting Sergeant

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 244906

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 521 Chamberlain St., Peterborough, Ontario 

Following his discharge the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him

Mar 23, 1922

Married to Edna Lyle Sharpe in the St. Andrews Church, Peterborough, Ontario.  He listed his occupation as Accountant

Sep 9, 1962

Walter George Batley passed away in Toronto, Ontario 

His brother, George Herbert Batley, was instrumental in building and managing the Memorial Arena in Peterborough and for bringing Junior A Hockey to the city.