Parents

James Garnett Batty was a jeweller, born in 1848. His father William was also a jeweller. James died on 15 August 1901. At the time of his marriage he lived at 3 Bedford Terrace, Chorlton.

Ellen Robinson was born in Liverpool, the daughter of William, a cabinet maker. Her address at the time of her marriage was 24 Clarence St, Liverpool.

James and Ellen married at St Bride’s church, Liverpool on 1 May 1872. By 1891 the family was living at 18 High Lane, Chorlton and were at the same address in 1901.

Edwin

Edwin was born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in 1878. He had two sisters and four brothers. He attended William Hulme’s Grammar School from 1889 to 1893. After school he entered the family firm of W Batty and Sons, Jewellers of Manchester and Liverpool, and in the 1901 census he was described as a jeweller’s assistant. He later became a director of the company.

At the 1911 census Edwin was living at 6 Derwent Avenue with his sister, Emily.

Military

Edwin was probably conscripted in 1916. He became a gunner with 123rd Battery, 28th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, regimental no 137656. His brigade was attached to the 2nd Canadian Exploratory Force and took part in successful actions at Vimy Ridge between the 9 and 12 April 1917.

He was with the Canadian Exploratory Force at the time of his death and it is thought that he and two other members of his battalion were hit by a shell or shrapnel. He may have died while being transported from the lines to a casualty clearing station at Thelus.

He died in France on 17 May 1917 and is buried in Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, plot I. A. 32. with no cross.

At the time of his death his address was 25 Darley Avenue, West Didsbury. Probate was awarded on 7 August 1917 in Manchester to Harry Batty, jeweller, and Emily Louise Batty, spinster, in the sum of £5911 15s 1d.