10/2067 Walter Battison NZEF
NZEF KiA Trio - 10/2067 Battison
The 1914/15 Star trio issued to the next-of-kin of 10/2067 Walter Battison, who was killed in action during the Battle of Morval in September 1916.
Walter Battison was born 12th August 1878 at Helensburgh, Row, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. Son of Walter and Elizabeth Battison (née Walker). Walter jnr. and his brother James came to New Zealand in 1899, on the S.S. Ionic, settling in Wellington. At the time his enlistment in the NZEF in 1915, Walter was working as a labourer at Te Pohue in the Hawke's Bay. He embarked with the 5th Reinforcements, but on arrival in Egypt he was admitted to hospital with an undisclosed condition. He was finally posted to his unit on Mudros in September 1915. It is unclear if he was subsequently posted to Gallipoli.
On the formation of the New Zealand Division in March 1916 Walter was promoted to corporal and embarked for France, where he served with 9th (Wellington East Coast) Company, 1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to sergeant in July 1916 and joined the "batallion bombers". Walter was killed in action during the Battle of Morval on 28th September 1916. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial.
All three medals are correctly impressed 10/2067 SJT. W. BATTISON. N.Z.E.F.