Blue plaque commemorates bravery of nurse Alice Batt in the First World War

Alice Batt was awarded the Albert Medal for her heroic actions in Belgium.

The Albert Medal for Lifesaving was a British medal awarded to recognize the saving of life.

It has since been replaced by the George Cross.

The official citation read: “On the 1st October, 1918, a fire broke out at No. 36, Casualty Clearing Station at Rousbrugge, Belgium, and quickly reached the operating theatre, where the surgeon, was performing an abdominal operation.

"The light went out, and the theatre was quickly filled with-smoke and flames, but the operation was continued by the light of an electric torch, Miss Batt continuing her work of handing instruments and threading needles with steadfast calmness, thereby enabling the surgeon to complete the operation.

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"Miss Batt afterwards did splendid work in helping to carry men from the burning wards to places of safety.”

Alice was the daughter of Witney surgeon Charles Dorrington Batt and was the fifth of six children.

The Batt family served the Witney community as surgeons and doctors for five generations and lived at Batt House in the Market Square from around 1800 to 1926. 

According to the Oxfordshire Health Archives, in 1823 Edward Batt opened Batt House as 'a house to care for those suffering 'diseases of the mind'.

The institution was run by members of the Batt family until its closure in 1857.

Alice joined the Oxford 22 Voluntary Aid Detachment as a nurse and in November 1914, and reported for duty at the Lady Evelyn Mason Hospital for Officers (Mayfair).

In March 1916 she arrived at No 9 British Red Cross Hospital in Calais and spent the war in various hospitals and casualty clearing stations.

In 1918 she was was one of only 16 women to be awarded the Albert Medal in the First World War.

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On September 7, 1915, while on leave, she also saved an 11-year-old girl from drowning at Brigg, on the Cumbrian coast, for which she was awarded the Bronze Medal of the Royal Humane Society.

She also received the Special Service Cross in 1917 from the British Red Cross.

The Batt C of E Primary School is named after the Batt family who founded it. 

The Batts worshipped at St Mary’s Church and founded The Batt Trust which gave the land for the school to be built in 1928.

Witney Town Council contributed £300 towards the plaque and hosted refreshments afterwards in the Corn Exchange.

Among those present at the unveiling were members of Alice’s family, Eda Forbes, Blue Plaques Secretary, Peter Dorward who proposed the plaque and gave an address ahead of the unveiling, the Mayor of Witney Cllr Liz Duncan, and Cllr Duncan Enright.

Mr Enright said: "It is a pleasure to see this permanent memorial which will help us all remember the great contribution of Alice Batt. Witney can be proud of her. Many thanks to those who made this happen, including Peter Dorward, former Mayor and Witney Town Councillor.”

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