Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a tent maker by trade, Thomas Henry Batie was 21 years and single when enlisted on the 7th of April 1915 in the 24th Battalion, Headquarters, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 1007. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 'Euripides' on the 10th of May 1915. On the 17th of July 1916 was admitted to hospital Influenza. On the 20th of February 1917 discharged to 3rd auxiliary hospital for return to Australia from Dartford, England and was listed as returned to Australia per H.S. Karoola for change (D.A.H. for disorderly action of the heart) on the 22nd of February 1917. Discharged on the 3rd M.D. (MU) on the 30th of June 1917.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Thomas H. Battie.