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Title |
The Ferret : the Waimate warrior : Eric Batchelor DCM and bar, m.i.d. |
Author |
O'Connor, Tom |
Summary |
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.This is not however, another history of 23 Battalion but the true story of one of the men who served in the battalion, who survived the war and returned to his hometown of Waimate in South Canterbury where he continued to serve his community both in the military, in business and in many volunteer organisations for the rest of his long life. Many of these young men had great difficulty adjusting to civilian life, and some ended up in prison for actions at home that would have won them praise and medals during the war. Eric was one who made that adjustment - with initial difficulty, and spent the rest of his life in his beloved Waimate. He was, rightfully, considered to be a local hero, earning the title Waimate Warrior which became the title of a bagpipe tune composed in his honour. He died in Waimate on 10 July 2010 just a few weeks short of his ninetieth birthday and was buried in the Returned Services section of the Waimate cemetery with full military honours. His decorations were; Distinguished Conduct Medal and bar, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal, Coronation Medal 1953, Efficiency Medal. |
Published Place |
John Douglas Publishing |
Published Date |
2017 |
ISBN |
9780994105998 |
Physical Description |
190 pages : illustrations (black and white), portraits ; 25 cm |
Subjects |
Military Sergeant Soldier World War 2 World War II WW2 WWII |
Search Terms |
Military Sergeant Soldier World War 2 World War II WW2 WWII |
Catalog Number |
2017-031-001 |