Alfred Charles Battson

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

Alfred Battson was born on the 29th of November 1916, the son of Charles Christopher and Alice Battson (née Browne) who had married after Banns, in St. James’s Church, Shoreditch, London on the 2nd of January 1897.

The 1911 census shows the family at 126 Lewcha, Road W. Stow, Walthamstow, London. Charles Christopher Battson, 35, was head of the family, married 14 years and a Carpenter (Fire Sprinklers) born in St. Leonards, Shoreditch, London, as was his wife Alice Battson, 35. They had had five children: Alice, aged 13; Charles Battson, aged 9; William, aged 7 years; and Elizabeth Battson, aged 1, but sadly 1 had died.

By the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, the family had moved to 48, Haroldstone Road, E.17. They now had five children as a daughter, Ivy Battson, had been born the year before. Charles Battson was working as a Carpenter for Mathers & Platt, 14, Great Smith Street, Westminster and his son, William, was working as a Store Keeper for Amalgamated Press, Farringdon Street.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, shows the family had moved again and were now living at 72, Lewis Trust Buildings. Three of the children had left home but Alfred and Ivy were still living with their parents. Alfred's father was working as a Joiner (Hard Wood). Alfred had left school and was employed as a Hospital Equipment Maker (Wood) and his sister, Ivy, was working as a Machinist (Government Uniforms).

In the December quarter of 1940 Alfred married Evelyn Joy Green in a Civil Ceremony in Hackney. Evelyn had been born on the 26th of October 1917. She was living with her widowed mother and siblings at 37, Goresuch Street, Shoreditch and was working as a Printer’s Machinist.

Alfred Charles Battson enlisted on the 12th of September 1940 at Shorncliffe Camp, Kent according to his Casualty Card. The address of his next of kin was for Mrs. E. J. BATTSON, 2a, Grove Street, Southport, Lancs with an amended address of 72, Lewis Bldgs, Dalston Lane, Dalston E.6. which they were notified about on the 21 July 1944.

Alfred was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom. He served with 26 Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers which landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. It was deployed to clear routes and establish exits from the beach but shortly after landing the lead tank slipped into a crater. The crew managed to escape but he is presumed to have died when they then came under heavy German fire.

Alfred was buried first at Graye-sur-Mer and then, on the 7th of December 1944, he was reburied in the Bayeux British Cemetery, where he now lies. His wife, Evelyn Joy Battson was to marry again in the June quarter of 1945 to a Douglas L. Rees in Pembroke.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Alfred Battson. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Alfred, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.