Boys' Brigade Vice President dies on Christmas Day

Jan 6 2011 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

A POPULAR Hamilton man who was vice-president of the Boys’ Brigade organisation died on Christmas Day.

Norman Batty, a former captain of 5th Hamilton Company, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.

Mr Batty, of Glenburn Road, Hamilton, was honoured at being made one of only four UK vice-presidents of the Boys’ Brigade in 2004.

He first joined the BB in the early 1950s at the 11th Motherwell Company based at Wrangholm Parish Church in New Stevenston.

After a spell in the Merchant Navy in the late 1950s and 1960s Mr Batty rejoined the brigade at the 5th Hamilton Company, based at Cadzow Parish Church, and was captain there for 15 years.

The 69-year-old was also Boys’ Brigade Hamilton and District Battalion president and a past president of Hamilton Rotary Club.

In 2009 he served as president of Hamilton Bowling Club and held the position of chairman for the club’s management committee.

Mr Batty was a retired company director of Hamilton firm Sacone Industries Ltd.

He is survived by wife Elizabeth (nee Docherty), daughters Elaine and Lynne and granddaughter Linsay. He was father-in-law of Colin, and brother of Robert and the late Jim and Elsa.

His wife Elizabeth said this week: “He was a great family man and will be deeply missed.”

Tom Boyle, former Boys’ Brigade Director for Scotland, worked closely with Mr Batty over the years. He said: Norman was president of the Hamilton Battalion for around 10 years and when he finished there he took over as president of the Lanarkshire Fellowship.

“He did sterling work for the organisation and made a big difference to the Boys’ Brigade.

“He was very open and clear about his thinking and this meant he could bring ideas to life.

“He had a vast amount of experience to pass on to voluntary leaders in the Brigade.

“He did everything in a voluntary capacity.”

He continued: “He had a wonderful personality and he could deal with different situations with ease.

“He was a very personable individual and extremely well liked. His loss is particularly sad.”

A private committal service for the family will be held in South Lanarkshire Crematorium on Friday, January 7, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving for his life to be held in Cadzow Parish Church, Woodside Walk, Hamilton, at 11am to which friends are invited.