Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

156th Lanarkshire Yeomanry Field Regiment, 17th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, British Army

Awarded on:

April 6th, 1944

"On the POGGIOFIORITO feature, C 2605, from 17 to 21 December 1943, Major Batey acted as R.A. L.O. from this Regiment in direct support of 2 R.S.F. who took up a position to the East of POGGIOFIORITO. This officer remained with the Battalion throughout its occupation of the position and was tireless in his efforts to assist the Infantry. He carried out numerous reconnaissance's for satisfactory O.Ps over difficult terrain which frequently took him in front of the F.D.L.'s and on several occasions drew hostile fire. The Battalion position was constantly subject to accurate enemy shell and mortar fire during which Major Batey invariably exposed himself in order to obtain satisfactory sound bearings. In fact on the evening of 21 December when the Battalion relief was in progress, and the position congested with mules, he had to be forcibly restrained from exposing himself unduly during a particularly heavy bout of shelling, so keen was he to obtain the necessary information for Counter Battery purpose. Throughout the operation this Officer showed a complete disregard for his own personal safety and a devotion to duty which was beyond praise

Date: 25 December 1943."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

156th Lanarkshire Yeomanry Field Regiment, 17th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, British Army

Awarded on:

June 29th, 1944

"On 23 January 1944 Major BATEY was with his affiliated Battalion - 2 RSF during its attack on the feature Pt 156 (G 7796). Before moving off from MINTURNO (G 7796) Major BATEY and two members of his OP party were wounded but in spite of this he made the necessary reorganization and went forward to join the Battalion Commander who was shortly afterwards killed. On his way up to take over the Battalion Second in Command was wounded leaving the Company Commander and Major BATEY to carry on. They went forward together to reconnoitre the route and came under heavy machine gun fire. 13 Pln was called forward as a fighting patrol and 14 Pln took up position between 13 Pln and Company H.Q. By this time the position was under heavy mortar and machine gun fire and Major BATEY who had established wireless communication with his Battery ordered fire on the Defensive Fire tasks if the situation became worse. The Company Commander was wounded and Major BATEY moved him clear of immediate danger. He then took over command of the infantry and rallied 13 Pln calling up more mortars and brens from Company HQ.

He stood up behind the mortars and directed fire and with his first round destroyed an enemy mortar position. He ran back himself to 14 Pln and brought up more ammunition and kept up continuous fire until the ammunition was exhausted. During this time he was again wounded but carried on. His small force almost reached its objective but because of lack of ammunition and in the face of the fiercest opposition was obliged to withdraw under cover of the defensive fire which Major BATEY had previously ordered.

Throughout the whole period Major BATEY was never once seen to take cover. He was twice wounded but refused to retire. His inspiring example and leadership carried 13 Pln almost to the Battalion objective and his foresight in ordering fire on the Defensive Fire tasks enabled his small body of men to withdraw successfully.

6 Feb 44."

Second award: bar / posthumously awarded