Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Batho a Coal Miner Hewer, born 1869 in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and his wife Mary Ann, born 1868 in Swannington, Leicestershire. Ernest was born in 1893 in Coalville, Leicestershire, his siblings were John S., born 1895 and James, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Coalville, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Berrisford Street, Coalville, Leicestershire, this being situated within the Ecclesiastical Parish of Hugglescote, St. John. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a Coal Miner and was residing in the family home at 67, Margaret Street, Coalville, Leicestershire together with his parents and siblings, John, James, Minnie, born 1900, Martha, born 1900, Lidia Mary Ann, born 1903, Elsie Fanny, born 1905, Joseph H., born 1907 and Jane Ann, born 1908, all his siblings were born in Coalville, Leicestershire. The War Diary for the events of today record. MAMETZ WOOD. ATTACK ON BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and village by the 110th Brigade. The Battalion was drawn up for the assault in four lines. The first three lines were in front of MAMETZ WOOD and were to move forward in succession at ZERO, the first line to take, clear and hold the German first line, the remainder to push on to capture and consolidate the FOREST TRENCH (enemy support line). The fourth line were drawn up behind the north edge of MAMETZ WOOD to move forward half an hour after ZERO, and push forward through FOREST TRENCH ready to assault the German third line. By 2.55am. all dispositions were made, each platoon being on its correct adjustment. A number of casualties were suffered during this operation, one platoon of “C” Company losing almost half its number. The men behaved admirably under trying conditions. At ZERO 3.25am. when the barrage lifted our first line trench was hardly close enough to it to rush the first line before the enemy could man it, as a result the advance was rather ragged. The right (A) Company in conjunction with the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. had little difficulty in entering the trench. The left (D) Company were momentarily held up by machine gun fire but managed to keep up close to the parapet and rush the line. The two centre (“B” and “C”) Companies were held up for about 20 minutes by machine guns. The pressure was relieved by parties from the right working down a flank. The centre Companies were then able to rush the trench. The second and third lines coming on, swept the remainder of the first line then, and made for the second line (FOREST TRENCH). By this time of the officers of “B” Company only 2nd Lt. EVANS was left, in “C” Company only 2nd Lt. REED, while in “D” Company all the officers were out of action. The enemy in the first line trench at first made some resistance but many were caught in their dug outs, and the rest seeing that they could not stop our rush retreated into the WOOD and made no resistance in the FOREST TRENCH. By 4.00am. our whole line was in occupation of FOREST TRENCH and the work of consolidation was begun. Captain A. A. CLARKE taking command. 2nd Lt. EVANS then sent back Company Sergeant Major GEARY to ensure that the German first line was cleared of the enemy. This N.C.O. with his party found a number of the enemy who had been passed over in the rush. In the meantime the left Company (D) after pushing on too eagerly under our barrage and being forced to retire, turned towards the flank and established connection with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. At 4.25am. Captain A. A. CLARKE, leaving 2nd Lt. EVANS in charge of the first trench, went forward in charge of the party to capture the third objective. No resistance was met with on the right, but on the left considerable trouble was caused by a machine gun and by snipers and close by the observation post in the tree both Captain CLARKE and Lt. WAKEFORD were hit. This left the assaulting line without an officer, but Sgt. WALKER (“A” Company) and L/Sgt. SHERLOCK (“C” Company) rallied their men and made good this line. There was no German trench in this position an in some cases the men again pressed forward and came under fire from our own barrage. Meanwhile the left (“D” Company) being checked by the machine gun on the crest of the wood and being unable to make headway were rallied by L/Cpl. BUSH, and an attempt was made to get round the position on the right, with the result that this party lost direction in the wood and finally found itself among the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. L/Cpl. BUSH then placed himself under the orders of an officer of that Battalion. Almost before the barrage lifted, the party under Sgt. WALKER rushed the German trench on the north side of the wood. The enemy made no resistance here and being caught between the barrage of shell fire and our advancing line gave themselves up. By 6.45am. we were established in the line on north edge of the wood. Subsequently officers of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT., bringing up supports took over command of this sector. About 7.15am. Captain GWYTHER was commanding the Battalion, ordered 2nd Lt. EVANS to push forward from FOREST TRENCH in support of the front line, on reaching the position selected for the strong point on the RAILWAY, this party came under machine gun fire from the north west corner of the wood, 2nd Lt. EVANS took up the line covering the strong point and prepared for reconnaissance. The position therefore at 8.00am was:- Northern edge of the wood held by us. Possession of the north west corner doubtful. Line of RAILWAY and strong point secured by us. Throughout the morning the enemy kept up an intermittent bombardment with 150mm Howitzers and a few 77mm’s, which grew in intensity about midday and during the afternoon. About 1.00pm it was believed that the Germans were still holding the entire edge of the wood at the north western corner and an assaulting party of the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. was organised to clear them out. The bushes and trees were very thick round this point which necessarily made progress slow, the enemy evacuating and manning a trench about 30 yards from the wood, before our men could get through we suffered several casualties from a machine gun in the above mentioned trench. An attempt was made about 9 o clock to reorganise the Battalion, as they were considerably mixed up, most of the officers becoming casualties. Lt. Col. DRYSDALE was wounded whilst the Battalion was marching to its position in front of MAMETZ WOOD, Captain and Adjutant A. A. ALDWORTH taking command. Captain’s WRIGHT, GIFFORD, Lt’s. BURNETT, HOLLIS, ABBOTT and 2nd Lt’s. NEWTON, GUTTERIDGE and BAIN being all killed before our troops reached the first line. 2nd Lt. PICKERING-CLARKE, SIMPSON and REID also Lt. WAKEFORD were killed in the wood. The wounded officers were Captain A. A. CLARKE, Lt. HOUGHTON and 2nd Lt’s. THOMPSON, WEBB and ORRIT-NICHOL. Our total casualties were 18 officers and 535 men killed and wounded. Our men along with the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT manned the trenches at the edge of the wood and remained there until next morning. The night was quick.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 28th, 1916

COALVILLE SOLDIERS KILLED

Information has been received by Mr and Mrs Jos. Batho, of 67, Margaret Street, Coalville, that their son, Lance-Corporal Ernest Batho, of the Leicesters, was killed in action on the 14th inst.

Private A. Wright, of the same regiment, writing on the 19th, states “It is with the greatest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death while in action. We send our sympathy with you and family in your great loss. We have also lost one of the best pals anyone could wish for. In fact we were more like brothers than pals. There is one consolation, he never suffered any agony, the bullet entering his heart. We have kept his belongings. I hope I shall have leave before long, and then I can give them to you. I am one of the Belvoir Road School boys, and enlisted the same day as Ernie.”

The letter is also signed by Private C. Summers.

Lieut. T. Cecil Hewitt writes: “I very much regret to say your son was killed in action on the 14th, when the battalion made such a wonderful charge. I always expected very great deeds of your son, who lived up to his splendid reputation in the company. Along with two other men he bombed and knocked out two German machine guns, which had been giving trouble. Such wonderful work cannot be left unrecognised, and I have sent a detailed report of his work to the higher commands. May you be strengthened in your great loss by knowing that he died the glorious death of a British soldier, fighting for his King and country.”

Lance-Corporal E. Batho was nearly 24 years of age, and before the war worked at the South Leicestershire Colliery where his father is also employed. He was an old Belvoir Road Schoolboy. Mr and Mrs Batho have another son, Private John Stephen Batho, aged 22, also at the front.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 11th, 1916

Sergt. A. Crooks, Pte. W. Ducksbury, and L.-Corpl. E. Batho, whose deaths were recently reported, were old boys of Coalville Belvoir Road Council (formerly Wesleyan) Schools?

Coalville Times article - Friday September 8th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT COALVILLE AND HUGGLESCOTE

FOR LOCAL MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN

Impressive memorial services were held at Coalville and Hugglescote on Sunday evening, for local men who have nobly died fighting for their country.

The service at Coalville was in the Wesleyan Church, and was conducted by Mr W. A. Hall, of Coalville. There was a crowded congregation which included the Men’s and Women’s V.A.D. under Commandants W. Eames and W. V. Scott, and the Coalville and Whitwick and Thringstone Citizens Corps under the respective Commanders, J. S. Turner and J. Lester. A number of scouts were also present and a few men in khaki. The service opened with the singing of the hymn, “When the weary seeking rest” and other hymns sung were “God of the living in whose eyes”, “Lord, God of hosts”, “Ten thousand times ten thousand” and “Now the labourer’s task is over”. The choir sang, “No shadows yonder” and “Nearer my God to thee.”

The preacher took for his text, Romans 8c, 7v., and in the course of his address said they had assembled that night to pay tribute to the memory of three lads from the Coalville Wesleyan Sabbath School – Ernest Batho, Fredk. Wm. Hart and Albert Willis Wells. They listened to the cry, “For God and Right” and went forward and joined the armies fighting against the enemies of their country. Hart fell in the trenches and Batho in the midst of the fighting on the battlefield. Wells, after conducting a superior officer to headquarters under heavy fire, was hit. The officer was killed and the gallant soldier, after lying in hospital for a week, succumbed to his wound. They were met that night in sympathy with those who so willingly gave their loved ones and today were mourning their loss. They met as a tribute to the memory of the lads who were numbered among Great Britain’s heroes. It was not for the excitement of the moment that they responded to the call, but to take part in guarding our shores from the attack of the enemy. They had died in a good cause – the cause of humanity. “They have died,” he added, “for you and for me. Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” He referred to letters which had been received from officers testifying to the excellent character of these lads and pointed out that the work of the Sunday school teachers had not been in vain. At the close of the service, the organist, Mr S. Rawlins, played the Dead March, the congregation standing meanwhile and as a finale, Scout Preston, with his bugle, sounded “The Last Post.”

Coalville Times article - Friday September 15th, 1916

IN MEMORIAM

Mr and Mrs Jos. Batho desire to tender their heartfelt thanks to all those who have extended sympathy towards them in the loss of their beloved son, Lance-Corporal E. Batho, who was killed in action, July 14th, 1916.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 14th, 1919

PROPOSED MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND

Meetings are being held throughout the Ashby Wesleyan Circuit, to consider the inauguration of a war memorial and thanksgiving fund, and there was a gathering for this purpose in the Coalville Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday night, when Mr C. H. March presided over a fairly good attendance.

The details of the scheme are set forth in a circular which is being issued, and of which the following is a copy.

“To celebrate the end of the ‘great war’ and the coming of ‘peace’ the quarterly meeting of the Circuit decided by a unanimous vote to inaugurate a great ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund.’ The nation in the hours of danger has not counted any sacrifice of blood or treasure too great to hasten the time when all that we hold dear should be made secure from an unscrupulous foe. That end has been achieved. The victory is ours. In token of our gratitude to Almighty God, we desire to raise this ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’ to enable the churches in this Circuit more efficiently to carry on, and extend the Kingdom of God. We suggest that contributions may be given as a thank-offering for loved ones spared, or in memory of dear ones who have laid down their lives for us. There are also large numbers in the Circuit, who, because of the importance of their work, have escaped the horrors of the battlefield, and will be able to give substantially in thankful recognition of their privileges. Everyone, indeed, has received great blessing through the ministry of our church, and the debt we owe to our beloved Methodism is greater than we can tell. Therefore, we earnestly appeal to all our people to give hearty and generous support to the ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’. The first claim upon the income of the fund will be the clearing of the debt upon the Circuit houses, which amounts to £1,000, thus saving £44 per year in interest. The remainder of the income will be held at the disposal of the Circuit quarterly meeting for the benefit of the work of God in the Circuit. – William Hooper, William H. Wardle, B.A., and William Solomon (ministers), J. P. Adcock, J. P. (treasurer); W. J. Plowright and C. H. March (secretaries).”

During the meeting, Mr T. Frith read the Roll of Honour, which contained 99 names formerly connected with the church and Sunday School. Two have won the D.C.M. – Harry Beard and Edwin Collier – and four the Military Medal, these being Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, George Wildgoose and Walter Lewis.

Twenty had made the supreme sacrifice – Cecil A. Bradshaw, Ernest Batho, Geo. Beale, Sydney Dodds, Walter Fantom, John Hall, Horace Hall, Jess Jones, Wilfred Jones, Fred Hart, Arthur Johnson, Walter Lewis, M.M., Harry Lewis, William Setchell, Sam Smith, Tom Usherwood, Willie Wells, Alf Wood, Albert Essex and Tom Wild.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 14/10/2017