Robert Batey was born on June 14, 1901, the son of Robert Batey and Blanche Batey, of 124 South Savoy Street, Sarnia. Robert enlisted as a bugler for the Pioneers in September 1915 at the age of fourteen years and three months. He was later transferred into the 70th Battalion, with which he went overseas. About three weeks after landing in England, he went with the first draft to France, as a member of the Army, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, bombing section, Quebec Regiment, with the rank of Private. On September 15, 1916, Robert Batey would lose his life while fighting at the Battle of Courcelette, during the Battle of the Somme, France. Robert Batey would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing, now for official purposes presumed to have died, Courcelette Sector. Robert Batey is the youngest fallen soldier inscribed on Sarnia’s cenotaph. Fifteen-year old Robert Batey has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G