Name
Ralph Bertram Battson
13 Jun 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/05/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Driver
85758
Royal Field Artillery
31st Div. Ammunition Col.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN
IV. G. 53.
France
Headstone Inscription
PEACE PERFECT PEACE WITH LOVED ONES FAR AWAY IN JESU'S KEEPING WE ARE SAFE AND THEY
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial,
St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Ralph Bertram Battson was born on 13 Jun 1895 (baptised 21 Mar 1907 in Tring) to Benjamin Battson and Eleanor (nee Bunce). Benjamin Battson died in 1899 and Eleanor married William Daniel Prior in 1908.
On the 1901 Census the family of Eleanor and Ralph were living with Ann Cherry (Eleanor’s mother) at 28, Albert Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census Ralph was a bookstall keeper and was living at 28 Albert Street Tring with his mother and stepfather. Formerly a member of the Church Lads Brigade. Employed by Mr. A.P. Boyson, Grove Lodge.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Ralph. He enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery as Private 85758 and was designated as a driver.
He went to France on 31 May 1915 and at some time was posted to 31 Division Ammunition Column. 31 Division had moved from Egypt to France in Mar 1916 to take part in the the Somme Battles of Albert (1-13 Jul 1916) and Ancre ( 13-18 Nov 1916) before taking part in Battle of Arras at third Battle of the Scarpe (3-4 May 1917). Ralph was wounded by shell fire some distance from the front line and died of his wounds on 15 May 1917.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 10s and arrears of £20 11s 1d was paid to his mother Eleanor.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
