Batty, Arthur Henry Dennis
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Arthur Henry Dennis |
Surname | Batty |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | DFM |
Date of Death | 27-07-1941 |
Next of Kin | Son of Arthur and Gertrude Veronica Batty, of Bloxwich, Walsall. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Hampden I |
Serial Number | P1162 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Walsall (Bloxwich) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Div. O. Sec. 2. Grave 443. |
Epitaph | ETERNAL REST GRANT TO HIM, O LORD; AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HIM R.I.P. |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 128 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 619060 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 2 |
Squadron | 226 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Arthur was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal shortly before his death for his exploits during a daylight raid over Merville Aerodrome, France with Sergeant John Kenneth Henson (pilot) and Sergeant Leonard Shepherd Coleman (Observer). The official citation read The aircraft was attacked by three enemy fighters and Sergeant Henson was wounded in the jaw. Sergeant Coleman, who saw this, waited to release his bombs as they flew over the target, then tended his wounded pilot who was bleeding considerably. Sergeant Coleman managed to reduce this by pressing the artery. Meanwhile the aircraft was subjected to another attack by four enemy fighters, the last of which, on receiving an accurate burst from Flight Sergeant Batty, broke up in the air. With great coolness he continued to fire accurately into each fighter as it attacked. Despite his wound, Sergeant Henson, greatly assisted by Sergeant Coleman, succeeded in reaching one of our aerodromes where he landed safely. The coolness, courage and teamwork of these three airmen were outstanding." |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/7957 (P360941/41) |
IBCC Digital Archive
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 30-11--0001 |
End Date | 30-11--0001 |
Takeoff Station | Castle Kennedy |
Day/Night Raid | |
Operation | |
Reason for Loss | Hampden P1162 of the CGS crashed on t/o from Castle Kennedy Airfield at Cults Farm |