Herbert Batchelor was born in Montrose, Scotland in 1880. While living in Victoria, British Columbia and employed as a seaman when he attested into the 30th Battalion of the CEF at Vancouver on January 13, 1915. He had previous service in the South African War with the Natal Rangers of the South African Volunteer Force as well as with the 88th Regiment (Victoria Fusiliers) of the Canadian Militia.
Following 2nd Ypres in April 1915, He was part of a large draft of 300 men from the 30th Battalion sent to reinforce the 15th Battalion following 2nd Ypres in April 1915. Private Batchelor was assigned to No. 4 Company and served with it at the battle of Festubert in May and all the trench tours in France and Belgium from May 1915 to April 1916.
He had been attach posted to the 2nd Tunnelling Company in April 1916 and was underground digging a tunnel at Armagh Wood near Observatory ridge when the Germans launched their offensive against Mount Sorel on June 2nd. His tunnelling group was trapped when the artillery bombardment collapsed their tunnel. At his Board of Inquiry, Batchelor stated: “a large German shell cut off communication with our own lines as part of the tunnel was blown in. After a time the air became so bad that we decided to dig back to our line. After nine hours we got back but found Germans waiting for us at the entrance….as we were unarmed there was nothing for it but to surrender.”5. he was shipped to Dulman POW camp in Germany and remained there until his escape on May 4,1917.
Upon repatriation to the UK like Private McArthur, he was taken on strength of the 16th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling camp, interviewed by the Board of Inquiry, posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion in Seaford and back to the 5th Reserve Battalion to be discharged from the CEF in the UK on November 11, 1917.
NOK: Mrs. R.S. Batchelor (M) Academy Sq, Montrose, Scot
