Walter Batty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Batty during World War II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1 January 1905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 10 May 1979 (aged 74) Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Auckland Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Insurance agent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Walter Batty DCM (1 January 1905 – 10 May 1979) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A loose forward, Batty represented Auckland at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, from 1928 to 1931. He played six matches for the All Blacks including four internationals.[1]
Batty was born in Tonga in 1905, to an English father and a Tongan mother.[2] He was educated at Auckland Grammar School,[1] and was an insurance agent when he enlisted for service during World War II.[3] He saw active service in North Africa and Italy with the 6th New Zealand Field Regiment, and won the Distinguished Conduct Medal during Operation Crusader for actions on 1 December 1941 at Belhamed in Libya.[3]
References
- ^ a b Knight, Lindsay. "Walter Batty". New Zealand Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Latu, Kalino (6 April 2015). "Did you know? Tonga's first All Black". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Walter Batty". Online Cenotaph. Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
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This page was last edited on 18 December 2023, at 09:09