1920: Joseph Batten was a founding partner in solicitors 'Batten and Whitsed' and  Mayor of Peterborough in 1907. His son, also Joseph, had entered the practice in 1909, articled to his father. At the declaration of war in 1914, the young Joseph was within a few months of obtaining his qualification as a practising solicitor. He was a Territorial officer in the Bedfordshire Regiment and received the one-word telegram, 'MOBILISE', on 4 August 1914. From that time onwards, he performed special duties across Britain before, in April 1918, he went to France as a senior captain and company commander. 'Going over the top' on 27 September, he was hit and died almost instantaneously. When the sad news reached Peterborough the mayor, rising before the commencement of Council business, said he was sure members would desire him, in their name, to refer to the death of Captain Batten, eldest son of their colleague, Alderman Batten, and to express their deep sympathy and condolence in his great loss, and sorrow, his son having fallen in the great conflict now raging. The members of the council sorrowfully rose to signify their assent. On this day two years later, Joseph Sr passed away, aged just 62. (Mayors of Peterborough; huntscycles.co.uk)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.