Francis de Witt Batty

Described by his The Times obituary as "one of the most outstanding Englishmen ever to dedicate his life to public service in Australia" [The Times, Tuesday, Apr 25, 1961; pg. 17; Issue 55064; col B "Obituary: Bishop De Witt Batty"] The Rt Rev Francis de Witt Batty was the Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, New South Wales from 1931 until his retirement in 1958. Born on 10 January 1879 he was educated at St Paul's School, London and Balliol College, Oxford [Who was Who 1987-1990: London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 071363457X] . Ordained in 1903 during his first post as Curate at Hornsey he was asked by the outgoing Rector St Clair Donaldson a year later [The Times, Thursday, Nov 03, 1904; pg. 8; Issue 37542; col B "Ecclesiastical Intelligence"] to accompany him as Bishop's Chaplain to Brisbane. In 1915 he was appointed a Canon Residentiary at the diocese's cathedral and ten years later Dean. Elevated to the Episcopate in 1930 [The Times, Saturday, Nov 15, 1930; pg. 11; Issue 45671; col F "New Bishop of Newcastle,New South Wales"] and consecrated the following year he considered his See 'the most enviable diocese in Australia' [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070211b.htm AB on line] ] . He died on 3 April 1961 [The Times, Tuesday, Apr 04, 1961; pg. 11; Issue 55046; col C "Death of Bishop Batty"] .

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