Title / object name Portrait of Harold John Batten
| Maker | Date |
| Berry & Co | Circa 1916 |
Materials photographic gelatin, sheet glass, silver, photographic plates
| Dimensions |
| 180 (Height) x 163 (Length) |
Format half plate (1/2)
Classification studio portraits, portraits, black-and-white negatives, gelatin dry plate negatives
Registration Number B.045967
Credit LinePurchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds
This studio portrait shows Lance Corporal Harold John Batten. The photo was taken at the Berry Co. photographers in Wellington, a well-known studio established in 1897 by William Berry. Many servicemen had their photos taken while on leave or before they left to fight in World War One.
Harold was 24 years old when he commenced service on 5 January 1917. At this time he lived in Otaki and was a horse trainer and jockey.
He embarked on the Pakeha from Wellington, 26 April 1917 as part of G Company. Harold’s unit endured Passendale in October 1917 where he was wounded by HE (High Explosive) shell on 12 October 1917. He received the wound to his lower left forearm. Batten was hospitalised and once he was well he returned to New Zealand in February and was later discharged on the 13 August 1918 due to his injury.
Harold married Bessie Olive Taylor in 1918 and had two children, Patricia and Ernest. He lived in Hamilton until the age of 61 and died on 1 April 1955.
The identification of people in the Berry Co. photos is an ongoing project. If you have any information about the soldiers or other people in this collection we would like to hear from you. Please contact a history curator through our enquiry centre 04 381 7000 or mail@tepapa.govt.nz