Early Years

Arnold Capel Batho, Middlesex Regt was the second son of the late Mr W J Batho and Mrs Batho of 2 Cresswell Road, East Twickenham. He was born in Muswell Hill, London and educated at the Stanley Home School, Margate and Bancroft, Woodford, Essex.

Teaching in Malvern

In 1914 Arnold was an assistant master at St Cuthbert’s School, Worcester Road Malvern. He was deeply interested in the Boy Scout Movement and was a very successful Scoutmaster of the 3rd (St Cuthberts) Malvern Link Troop and greatly assisted a troop in the parish St Stephen’s, East Twickenham whilst on holiday.

First World War

A territorial of four years service, Arnold re-enlisted at the outbreak of war. He was wounded in some of the fiercest fighting of the earlier stages of the war and was invalided home. On his recovery he was commissioned into the Middlesex Regt and returned in January 1915. He was an excellent signaller and was appointed Signal Officer to his Battalion.

Leuze Wood

Arnold Batho was killed on the evening of the 15th September while the 1/8th Middlesex took over captured German trenches from the 1/1st London Regiment after a successful attack on Bouleaux Wood, during the Battle of Morval.

The Battalion War Diary recorded on 15th September 1916:

“A general attack was made on the German lines. The Brigade assaulted the lines immediately West of BOULEAU WOOD. As this wood was still held by the Germans the Brigade had to make a frontal attack with a hostile defensive position on the right flank. The first objective was allotted to the 1/1st London Regiment, who secured part of it. The second objective, allotted to the 7th Middlesex was not reached.

“At 1.3pm, the Battalion was ordered to attack, but half an hour after the assault was launched the order was given to dig in.

“By 7pm the Battalion was collected in a support trench in LEUZE WOOD. Officer casualties during the day:- Killed Lt A S Carey; Wounded Captain C M Hughes, 2/Lieut R P Bunn (at duty); Captain T M Peake (Shock).”

The following day at 8pm:

“The Battalion took over the front line trenches North of LEUZE WOOD and West of BOULEAUX WOOD including the captured German trench system from the 1/1st London Regiment. Officer casualties:- Killed 2/Lieut A C Batho.”

Tributes – a very gallant gentleman

The Chaplain of the Brigade wrote of the great respect and honour in which he was held by all that knew him, as a man of deep and earnest religious principle to which his life in all ways conformed. “He died,” the Chaplain said, “as those who knew him were sure would be the case should be in the full in the service of his country. He was a very gallant gentleman.”

War Diary of the 1/8th Middlesex Regiment Public Record Office: WO 95/2950
Malvern News 7/10/16
Stevens Annual for 1914 Malvern 1914
1901 Census