Cudgegong Valley History Project

MISCELLANEOUS. Two young men at Glenangle, in the Rylstone electorate, were 'skylarking.' One had an axe, and pretended to be Jimmy Governor, and the other with a rifle was his pursuer. The first named raised his axe in fun, the second his rifle, and the one with the axe was accidentally shot dead. They were cousins and very much attached to one another (Cobargo Chronicle, Friday 7 September 1900, page 4).

DEATH. One by one the hand of time is removing the old residents of the district beyond the veil. The recent death of Mrs. Batten has removed the mother of a highly respected district family. The deceased lady had not enjoyed the best of health and her burden of years was not in her favor, and after rearing her family and seeing them all well on life's journey, she paid her last earthly debt on Wednesday last at her home near Lue. Death at all times leaves a blank which causes affliction and suffering in the home, and when the mothers call has come only those who have had her tender care and nursing can fully realise the anguish and suffering her death leaves behind. The remains were buried m the Rylstone cemetery on Friday last. To the bereaved relatives deep sympathy on all sides has been shown (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 23 September 1909, page 10).

Headstone reads: Margaret Beloved wife of William Batten Who Died 15th Sept, 1909 In her 64th years Eternal rest grant to her oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

THE CATHOLIC HONOR ROLL Heroes of the Battlefield. Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Batten, of Lue, that their son, Private Edward Batten, who had been reported missing since October 12 had been killed in action on that date. Private Batten, the highly respected son of a highly respected family, had been in France about 16 months. Sympathetic reference to the young soldier's death was made at the Masses at St. Mary's Church, Mudgee, on Sunday, when the prayers of the people for the eternal repose of his soul were asked (Freeman's Journal, Thursday 6 December 1917, page 15).

Private Batten Killed. In Thursday's 'Guardian' it was intimated that Private Batten son of Mr. and Mrs. Batton of Lue was missing. On Friday the sad news came to hand that the young soldier had been killed in France on October 12. To the greatly bereaved family we tender our most sincere sympathy (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Monday 19 November 1917, page 2).

Killed in Action 12-10-17 Re 2376 Pte E M Batten, and 2447 Pte W Loe. They were killed on the 12-10-17. They were at a certain position in the line, and that was the last that was seen of them. There were myself and 2 other men detailed off to bury a number of bodies at night, about this position where they were last seen, and most of the bodies were unrecognisable. Letter from:- Peck E. 45th Battn. France 31-9-18 (Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Files, 1914-18 War. 2376 Private Michael Batten, 45th Battalion, p. 2).

AIF 45 Batten E 2376 K. Oct. 12/17. Det. D/B/ Batten was a farmer before joining the army, a decent sporting man of medium height. On Oct. 13 we were at Passchendaele and attacked the enemy during the morning. A number of our men including Batten and W Lee were in a dug out which was blown up by an enemy shell. Many of them were carried in the Debris. During the day the dug out was cleaned out and the bodies which could be recovered were stacked yup. Many of them were so badly damaged that they were unrecognisable. There were 16 to 25 casualties in this dug out. At the time we were about 100 yards away and had out lines behind the enemy pill box. Most of out Co. were accounted for but Batten and Lee could not be traced, the conclusion being that they were buried in the debris. The same night the enemy took the dug out. Referee: Pte C Moore D Co. 3234 No 12 General, Reuen. 11.7.19. (Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Files, 1914-18 War. 2376 Private Michael Batten, 45th Battalion, p. 3).

Was in D Coy 13th Pltn. called Edward. I saw him killed by shell (7 or 8 killed by the one shell) at Passchendaele. While we were in supports holding the line. I went on stretcher bearing immediately afterwards - so did not see anything further of him. He was a very quiet chap, but very popular. Informant:- R H Vincin 2991 45th Battn. Harefield. London 22.3.18. (Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Files, 1914-18 War. 2376 Private Michael Batten, 45th Battalion, p. 4).

AIF 45. Batten, E. 2376. K. Oct. 12/17. Det. D/B. Batten left Australia Aug. 24/16. He was a tall, ginger man and was last seen going over to a pill box to sleep, in company with W Lee, on the Passchendaele front. A shell burst in the box and killed both men. They were buried by the Bn. who relieved us. Pte. Peck, D Co. saw this and told me. Reference: Pte. J. Heap, 2513. D Co. No 11 Con. Camp Buchy Nr. Rouen. 31.7.18 (Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Files, 1914-18 War. 2376 Private Michael Batten, 45th Battalion, p. 4).

DEATHS. MR WILLIAM BATTEN. The death of Mr. William Batten, which occurred at his daughter's (Mrs. E. H. Nash) residence, Lue-street, Rylstone, on Thursday night, removes one of the oldest pioneer residents of the district. Born at Parramatta in the year 1840, Mr. Batten and his ber John came to the Rylstone district with their parents in 1846. The two bers never parted. They both married and lived at Lue, where the ber John Batten, who is in his 77th year, still resides. The late Mr. William Batten was 80 years and 9 months old at the time of his death. His wife predeceased him by 12 years. The following family survive:— John Batten (Lue), William (Waverley), Mrs. E. H. Nash (Rylstone), Mrs. W. T. Brown (Lue) and Mrs. P. J. Costigan (Lue). The youngest son, Edward, made the supreme sacrifice at the war. The remains of the deceased gentleman were placed in St. Malachi's Catholic Church, Rylstone, on Saturday morning last, from whence the funeral started at 12.30. The remains were interred beside those of his late wife in the Catholic portion of the Rylstone cemetery. The Very Rev. Father Flanagan officiated, both in the church and at the grave. Mr. J. C. Swords, of Mudgee, conducted the funeral arrangements. The deceased was universally esteemed in the Rylstone, Lue, Mudgee and adjoining districts. He was a very capable man, and on many occasions wrote some interesting reminiscences for this paper (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Monday 14 March 1921, page 19).

SYDNEY NOTES (By W. R. Jones). OBITUARY. MRS E. H. NASH. The death of Mrs E. H. Nash, formerly of Rylstone, occurred at Vaucluse on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The deceased lady enjoyed fairly good health up to the time of her death and on the morning of her collapse, was quite well, with her husband, having planned out the day's work before rising. After stepping out of bed she staggered forward and fell, the fall being broken by Mr Nash. She never rallied again and passed away at 11 a.m., surrounded by her family. The late Mrs Nash was a fine specimen of womanhood, and a conscientious churchgoer. During her long life in Rylstone and latterly in Sydney, she attended strictly to her own affairs. All her life she had suffered from very severe head attacks and her untimely end was directly attributable to this cause. Her remains were interred in the South Head cemetery, a large number of old Rylstone friends attending the last sad rites. A husband and three daughters, Mrs H. McKay, Mrs Ward, and Sister Carmel, of Orange, survive. The late Mrs Nash was born at Pyangle, and was a daughter of the late J. Batten. She was fifty-six years of age at the time of her death (Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative, Thursday 17 November 1927, page 26).

DEATHS: BATTEN - January 14, at a private hospital, Mudgee, John James Batten, late of Glenangle, Lue, aged 75 Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 20 January 1943, p. 12.

John James Batten After a very lengthy period in a Mudgee private hospital, Mr. John James Batten passed away on Thursday night at the advanced age of 85 years. For the greater part of his long and useful life he resided in the Lue district, where he was held in the highest esteem. Deceased was one of the fine old pioneering type, and the district will be the poorer by his passing. The funeral took place to the Catholic portion of the Mudgee Cemetery on Saturday morning, the Rev. Father Brown officiating. The arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. J. C. Swords and Son. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 18 January 1943, p. 5. Obituary John James Batten

Headstone reads: In loving memory of John J Batten Died Jan 14 1943 Aged 75 years R.I.P.

DEATHS: BROWN, Minnie, - November 9, 1956, at her residence, Cox Street, Mudgee (formerly of Lue), beloved wife of William Thomas, and loving mother of Henry (Rev Father Brown), Arthur and Meg (Mrs F Hughes), Bruce and Betty (Mrs P Miller), aged 69 years. Funeral Mudgee, Saturday. Requiescat in pace (Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, November 10, 1956).