Arthur Hugh Henry Batten-Pooll

Directing a trench raid while wounded and rescuing comrades.

Arthur Hugh Henry Batten-Pooll was born in Knightsbridge, London, in October 1891 and educated at Eton. Commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry Special Reserve in 1911, he later served with the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. He requested an infantry transfer and joined the Royal Munster Fusiliers, reaching France with the 2nd Battalion in February 1916.

On June 25, 1916, near Cité Calonne, he commanded a trench-raiding party. A bomb severely injured his right hand as the men entered the German lines. He continued directing the raid and then helped recover wounded men during the withdrawal, receiving two more wounds. Refusing assistance, he walked almost to the British lines before collapsing. The action earned him the Victoria Cross, presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace in November 1916.

Promoted to captain, he also received the Military Cross and a mention in despatches. He commanded C Company before his capture at Passchendaele in November 1917. Internment in Switzerland preceded his repatriation in March 1918. In 1919 he served as a liaison officer with the North Russian Expeditionary Force. After leaving the Army, he studied agriculture at Balliol College, Oxford. He died at Ivybridge, Devon, on January 21, 1971 and was buried at Woolverton, Somerset. His six-medal group was bequeathed to the National Army Museum.

**Victoria Cross citation**

“For most conspicuous bravery whilst in command of a raiding party. At the moment of entry into the enemy’s lines he was severely wounded by a bomb, which broke and mutilated all the fingers of his right hand. In spite of this he continued to direct operations with unflinching courage, his voice being clearly heard cheering on and directing his men. He was urged, but refused, to retire. Half an hour later, during the withdrawal, while personally assisting in the rescue of other wounded men, he received two further wounds. Still refusing assistance, he walked unaided to within 100 yards of our lines, when he fainted, and was carried in by the covering party.”