BATTEN, Victor Thomas Arthur (1875-1919)
Victor Batten was born on 18 July 1875, the son of Thomas Lloyd Batten and Miriam Elizabeth nee Batten. At enrolment at Geelong College on 6 May 1889, he was living at Aberdeen Street, Geelong. He served with the Geelong Garrison Artillery for five years prior to service as a Private with the Commonwealth forces in the Anglo-South African War and returned to Australia with that force.
He re-enlisted (No. 860) on 10 December 1914 in the AIF with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment (4th Reinforcement Group). On 5 March 1915 he married Margaret Frances Andrews, daughter of Michael and Johanna Shannon, at the Methodist Manse, South Terrace, Adelaide, shortly before his embarkation for Egypt. They resided at Tom’s Court, Halifax Street, Adelaide. He embarked from Adelaide on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln on 1 April 1915 and returned to Australia on HMT Ballarat, embarking 1 July 1915.
He died at No 5 AGH on 11 February 1919.
His brother, Oswyn Leander Lloyd Batten (1883-1964), was also a student at Geelong College.
Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p136 (citing Pegasus; National Archives).