Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: 81st Infantry
Occupation: Bathchairman. Employed by Messrs. Ward & Co. before 1911.
Date of Birth: 18.08.1893
Place of Birth: Eastbourne, Sussex
Date of Death: 30.03.1965
Place of Death: Los Angeles, USA
Address: 22 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
Click on any image to see a larger version
Family Information
Parents: Alfred Horace Batchelor, born 1856 in Wateringbury, Kent, died in 1930, and Annie Elizabeth Batchelor, nee Gosden, born 1863 in Eastbourne, died in 1920.
Siblings:
Minnie Batchelor, born 1886 in Eastbourne.
Horace Batchelor, born 1888 in Eastbourne.
In 1901 the family were living at 90 Reginald Road and Alfred was a blacksmith, while Minnie was working as a Stationary Shop Assistant and Horace as a Greengrocers Assistant. By 1911 the children had left home and Alfred and Annie were living at 31 Cornwall Road and Alfred was now a Bathchairman.
Spouse:
Edward married Gladys Gertrude Gardner on 26th December 1918 at San Bernardino, California. They had three children: Alfred William Batchelor, 1921-1997; Dale Edward Batchelor, 1925-2013; Lucille Ann Batchelor, 1934-1980.
First World War Experience
Because Edward migrated to the United States and joined the US Army we do not have his records but the following article appeared in the Bexhill Observer dated 255th January 1919 which gives us a small idea of his history.
“Above is a photograph of Private Edward Batchelor, 81st Infantry Camp Kearny, USA, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A H. Batchelor, of 22 Windsor-road, Bexhill, and brother of Mrs. S. Jewhurst. Before going to the United States he was employed by Messrs Ward & Co., Station-road. He was formerly a scholar of St. Barnabus School. He has been seven years in the United States, and is now in the training camp. On Boxing Day at San Bernardino, California, he was married to Miss Gladys Gertrude Gardner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Gardner. The bride, who is by profession a teacher, came to San Bernardino the previous June from Wisconsin to join her parents. The acquaintance of he bride and bridegroom began two years ago. The bride was married in a tailored suit o midnight blue, with a white Georgette blouse, a blue picture hat, and white gloves and shoes, with a bouquet of Californian violets. The bridegroom, who has been stationed at Camp Kearney, was married in khaki. The wedding supper was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, which was gaily decorated.”
Edward arrived at Port Huron, Michigan on 20th May 1911, aged 17, and by 1920 had moved to San Dimas, Los Angeles.