Pte 57773 Isaac Batey

• Age: 20
• From: Seaham Harbour Durham
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 31st July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Isaac Batey was born in 1897 in Seaham Harbour, County Durham and was the son of Isaac and Mary Alice (nee Mole) Baty who were married in 1895 in Sunderland. (Family name originally BATY but he served as Batey).

The 1901 census shows the family lived at 78 Viceroy Street, Dawdon, Seaham Harbour.

The father Isaac senior, aged 29, who was born in Silkworth, Durham was working as a jobbing saddler. The census records that both he and his wife Mary, aged 26, were ‘deaf and dumb’. They had four children – Rebecca Ann aged 5, Isaac 4, John George 2 and 2 month old William.

There is a sad report about young Isaac’s father in the Sunderland Echo dated 3rd January 1901 which reads:

Attempted Suicide by a Deaf Mute: On Tuesday between 5 and 6pm, a young man named Isaac Batey, deaf and dumb, living with his wife (who is also deaf and dumb) and family of three children (who can all talk) attempted to commit suicide at his residence at Viceroy Street, Seaham Harbour. The man had been out during the day and had apparently had drink. He returned home and took a razor, which he kept for his own use, and in the sight of his wife made a deliberate attempt to cut his throat. Mrs Hedley, a neighbour living on the same stairhead, was alarmed by most unusual screeching from Mrs Batey, and on entering the house saw a man lying on the bed insensible. Inspector Briens, Srgt Raisbeck and P.C.Dixon went to the house. Dr Nieland was also sent for. Batey was in a frenzied condition and it took two officers to keep him quiet. Fortunately the wound is not serious.

Another newspaper report in 1902 tells that Isaac’s father was fined for being drunk and disorderly.

The 1911 Census shows the Baty family living at 36 Swinebank Cottages Dawdon Colliery which had 4 rooms.

The father Isaac senior is 36 years old and is a colliery sadler. Mary Alice is 35 and was born in Sunderland and they have been married for 16 years and have had 8 children with 6 still living All of their six surviving children are living at home, Rebecca, Isaac who at the age of 14 is working in the mines as a trapper below ground, William, John and two more children born since the previous census: Jane Ellen aged 3 and Norman Robert aged 10 months.

Isaac enlisted in Seaham Harbour, County Durham and was originally 339, Army Cyclist Corps . Following a transfer he was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 57773 when he was killed in action on 31st July 1917 on the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

On this day, before Zero Hour, the 18th Battalion was part of 21st Brigade and was to form up for the attack from trenches from the area of Sanctuary Wood to Observatory Ridge but it was dark and continually falling rain gave very poor visibility. The departure of the 21st Brigade was delayed by heavy shelling.

The 18th King’s began to move forward in the rear of the 2nd Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment who had been detailed as the left attacking battalion of the 21st Brigade.

No’s 1 and 3 Companies of the King’s led the way followed by No’s 2 and 4. In Sanctuary Wood there was considerable confusion, as a result No.2 and No.4 Companies became separated from the others, and were moved over to the left flank towards positions known as Surbiton Villas and Clapham Junction in the direction of the 90th Brigade.

No.1 and 3 Companies were soon in action with the enemy, and were for a time, held up against an enemy strong point. They pushed forward with their right on a trench known as Jar Row and their left on the tramway south of Stirling Castle. Advance along Jar Row was held up by the Germans who put up a fierce resistance and the party was forced to withdraw.

Another group of men from No.1 and No.3 Companies led by 2nd Lieut. Graham were being held up by another strongpoint which was south of Stirling Castle, which was eventually stormed and taken. Not far away from this action, an attempt, by other men of No.1 and No.3 companies, was made to penetrate a broad belt of uncut wire, but this was covered by Machine-guns which killed almost every man attempting to pass through the two gaps that were discovered.

The situation was similar with No.2 and 4 Companies, who had attacked along the wrong axis. Their advance was met with fierce opposition, and once all the experienced officer’s had been killed or wounded, all cohesion was lost, although some men did reach and cross the Menin Road at Clapham Junction.

By that time, the situation had become extremely confused, and the whereabouts of all four companies being unknown to Battalion Headquarters, urgent attempts were made to discover their locations. Eventually by mid- afternoon, it was established that the bulk of the companies, although all mixed together, were dug in the vicinity of Stirling Castle and by mid evening, the Battalion Headquarters moved forward to meet them.

During its time in the line the 18th Battalion lost 7 officers and 76 men killed or died of wounds and 7 officers and 177 men were wounded. They were relieved on the 2nd August.

Isaac has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.

He is also commemorated on the war memorials at The Marquess of Londonderry Roll of Honour for Seaham Colliery. The Dawdon Miners Lodge Roll of Honour (members and sons of workmen) includes the name Isaac Batey.

Isaac was one of three young men whose homes were within six streets of each other in Seaham to lose their lives on the same day. As they were so close in age to each other it seems inconceivable that they did not know each other or were friends. The others were Henry Swinney 57846 of the 1st/6th Battalion The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment who was 19, and Frederick Cole aged 22, Private number 20/8 of the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Both Henry and Frederick are also commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Sunderland Daily Echo 29th Aug 1917

J Batey, 36 Swine Bank Cottages, Dawdon, has been officially informed that his son. J. Batey. King's Liverpool Regiment, has been posted missing July, 31st, 1917. Any information regarding him would thankfully received.

Reported missing in the Weekly Casualty List 18th Sept 1917

King's (Liverpool Regiment) - Batey, 57773, I. (Dawdon). ;

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Mary Alice Batey/Baty

Mother Mary died aged 45 in 1920

We currently have no further information on Isaac Batey, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.