Colonel Henry Lewis Battersby

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.

Henry Lewis Battersby was born about 1851 in Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland to land agent William of Westmeath, Leinster, Ireland. In 1878 Henry became a Licentiate of the Royal College Surgeons of Ireland. In 1879, he became a Licentiate of the King’s and Queen’s College of Physicians and also obtained his licence in midwifery. In 1880 Henry lived in The Turret, Rathmines, Dublin.

At the time of the 1881 Census, Henry was a surgeon of the Army Medical Department on the 3rd Class Troopship HMS Serapis in the Red Sea.

On the 7^th of March 1881 Henry was registered as a Freemason in the Grand Lodge of Ireland. His lodge’s number was 728 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

Henry married Emily Gertrude Lory, by Banns, on 16^th July 1891 at St Anne’s church in Bagshot, Surrey. At the time of their marriage Henry was a surgeon of the Army Medical Staff and lived in Bagshot. Emily  lived at The Vicarage in Bagshot.

Emily was born in the 1^st quarter of 1866 in Christchurch, Hampshire to Bagshot Vicar Frederick Aylmer Pendawes Lory, born about 1840 in Mylor, Cornwall, and Emily Jane Lory, born about 1845 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Emily was baptised on the 6^th of April 1866 in Christchurch.

Henry and Emily had two children. Terence Esmund Maxwell was born on the 29^th of October 1893 in Meerut, Bengal, India. He was baptised on the 5^th of November 1893 at St John’s church, Meerut. He became an English cricketer and British Army officer. He was a left handed batsman; and was a Captain of the Leinster Regiment attached to the 82^nd Company Machine Gun Corps. Sheila Patricia was born in the 4^th quarter of 1897 in Dover, Kent.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Henry and Emily Gertrude were boarders of farmer Edward Collard at 3 Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent. Henry was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Army Medical Staff and Emily was at home. The family further comprised of their daughter Sheila.

Henry bred show dogs. “The dog show held at Earls-ford terrace, Dublin, recently, under the auspices of the Dublin Canine Association, was the most successful and representative that has been seen in Ireland for some years. In the novice class Crosshaven Duck, a clever and workable-looking bitch, took first price, while Ardmunchan Ranger, a fine, upstanding dog, got reserve price. Both are property of Lieut. Colonel Battersby R.A.M.C., and should, from their form and condition prove worthy of the laurels they have won.” (1904 Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, London)

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Trebyan House, Bodmin, Lanhydrock, Cornwall. Henry was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Army Medical Corps and Emily was at home. The household further comprised of a nurse, a cook and a housemaid. The accommodation had eight rooms. Emily stated that she had given birth to two children.

“In the Nottingham District, there are seven military hospitals and 15 auxiliary institutions, providing in all something like 3,500 beds for wounded soldiers. At the head of this big organisation is Colonel H. L. Battersby, Military Medical Administration Officer.

At the outbreak of the war, Colonel Battersby, a well-known Army doctor whose professional career has been bound up with the Service, was stationed at Ipswich, in charge of military medical establishment there. Selected to undertake the organizing work in connection with the military accommodation to be provided in Nottingham, he has carried out a great and important duty in a very admirable manner as those who have had the opportunity of visiting any of the temporary hospitals can testify. Primarily the duties falling to Colonel Battersby were the furnishing, fitting and staffing of the buildings taken over by the military authorities for hospitals; the oversight of similar medical organising work in the country, and the superintendence of the reception and treatment of all the wounded.

The Colonel is an Irishman, son of the late Mr William Battersby of West Meath, and during his long association with the Service has seen 14 years of Indian duty, and a busy period in the South African campaign under Lord Methuen, for which he holds the medal and clasps.

Of medium height, spare, fair in complexion, of distinguished manners, and of much amiability, but a man of action, not of words, Colonel Battersby, with his fine gift of concentration, is happily placed. He stands high in the esteem of all around him.” (1918 Nottingham Journal)

Henry died on 12^th February 1920 at 59 Lancaster Gate, Paddington, at the age of 66. He was buried on 17^th February 1920 at Bagshot Burial Ground, close to the South West entrance.

“In the South African war he took part in the advance on Kimberley including the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein and afterwards served in the Orange River Colony and in Cape Colony. Colonel Battersby had the Queen’s medal with three clasps.” (1920 Gloucestershire Echo)

Colonel Battersby’s wife Emily received £3,419, 12s and 3d in his will. Emily lived at Goodrest, Cliftonville, Dorking.

Born		Rathmines, Dublin
Son of		William Battersby of Westmeath, Lenister, Ireland
Husband of		Emily Gertrude Lory
Father of		Terence Edmund Maxwell and Sheila Patience
Regiment		Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of Death		12th February 1920
Place of Death		Paddington, London
Cause of Death		Died of influenza
Age		65
Cemetery		Windlesham, Bagshot Burial Ground