Battle

The earliest references to the Battle family  relate to Wicombe. Charles, son of William Battle of Witcombe in Chewton was christened in West Harptree on 26/10/1623. Witcombe was part of Chewton Mendip at the time but it is physically closer to  West Haptree so many people chose to attend church there.The picture on the right is of Jack and Flo Battle taken outside their home in Chew Hill in the late Victorian or Edwardian era. This picture was first published in the Wells Journal.

The  18th century churchwarden accounts and  poor-law records show various members of the Battle family paying rates  for an estate in Widcombe for most of the 18th century. Widow Battle was listed in that list of estates taking apprentices whilst Richard Battle was apprenticed to another estate (page 2229).

Various Members of the family lived in Chew Hill in the Victorian era and attended Chewton Mendip school. The names  listed in one register were George, Alfred, Harry, Florence and Edith but other records identify Annie and John who may have been the Jack in the picture above

Jack married Nellie and moved to Maesbury but ended his days in the Wells mental hospital. Harry Battle was killed during World War One. Florence married Billy Shingleton and moved to Canada.  Annie became Mrs Pope and lived in Henton and was the original source of some of this information. Dennis Roberts was evacuated to Henton during World War 2 and recorded the Memoirs of Annie Pope.