Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant W. P. Batters, Essex Yeomanry, later Army Service Corps, who was awarded the Military Cross whilst serving with the Machine Gun Squadron

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. P. Batters. Essex Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. P. Batters.); together with the related miniature awards, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The David Laban Collection of Great War Awards.

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M.C. London Gazette 18 July 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his guns with marked skill and gallantry under continuous shell fire. Although badly wounded he continued to superintend for eighteen hours with the utmost determination, thereby rendering valuable assistance at a critical time.’
Walter Perceval Batters was born in Enfield, Middlesex, in 1879, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Essex Yeomanry on 30 December 1914. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from October 1915, and was seconded for duty with Brigade Machine Gun Squadron on 29 February 1916. He transferred to the Army Service Corps on 29 April 1918, and in the 1939 Register he is recorded as a colliery Director and is residing at the Old Rectory, Ruthin, North Wales. He died in Chelsea in January 1952.