THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BATCHELOR Eric

16827, Acting Sergeant, 23 Battalion, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 8 May 1945, Supp 37072, p2455

On 21 July 1944 at San Donato, Italy Sergeant Batchelor was in command of the forward platoon of his Company.  With a small covering patrol and on his own initiative he cleared the enemy from all houses on the feature.  A total of nine prisoners was taken, five of which he captured single-handed, enabling the advance of the Company to continue.  A short time later strong opposition was encountered from an enemy strong point which dominated Strada ridge, and which held up the advance.  Again Sergeant Batchelor led his platoon in a successful attack on the position against heavy enemy machine-gun and artillery fire.  At st. Andrea Sergeant Batchelor took out a small patrol to investigate a house which it was suspected the enemy occupied.  Leaving his party outside, he entered the house alone with a total disregard for personal safety and captured two enemy snipers.  Throughout the whole of the action Sergeant Batchelor showed extraordinary powers of leadership and initiative and set a magnificent example by his personal courage and supreme devotion to duty under severe conditions

Bar to the Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 19 June 1945, Supp 37138, p3237

On the night of 14-15 December 1944 Sergeant Batchelor was platoon sergeant in one of the forward companies in the attack on Celle, Italy.  When his platoon commander was wounded at the outset of the battle, this NCO immediately took command and led his men spiritedly into the attack.  In a long advance over broken country and without contact on either flank he showed great skill and personal bravery in the liquidation of three enemy strong-points, killing eight of the enemy, wounding eleven and capturing twenty prisoners.  On the following night when ordered to proceed across country to his Company Headquarters, Sergeant Batchelor mistakenly passed deep into enemy territory and on entering Casa Salde was confronted not by his Company Commander but by some thirty Germans.  Although he had but three men with him, he rapidly appreciated the surprise his entry had caused the enemy and with the greatest initiative immediately engaged them, deploying his small force to great effect.   From the resultant fierce and confused fracas, in which Sergeant Batchelor became involved in a shot for shot duel with a German NCO, the party emerged with 19 prisoners, leaving behind them five killed and four wounded.  Throughout a long and difficult operation against a seasoned enemy, Sergeant Batchelor by his great personal courage, initiative and outstanding leadership was an inspiring example to all ranks. The work of his platoon under his inspiration was largely responsible for the firm hold the Battalion had on its objective

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal and bar

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

       8th Army

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

       Mention in Despatches

New Zealand War Service Medal

Coronation Medal 1953

Efficiency Medal

NOTES

Born 29 October 1920, Waimate, New Zealand

Died