William Henry Battle

William Henry Battle was born in Lincolnshire on 23 February 1855 and died in 1936. Starting in 1866, he attended Lincoln Grammar School (now known as Lincoln Christ's Hospital School) and then Haileybury School, Hertfordshire. Battle went on to attend St. Thomas' Medical School in London, England starting in 1873. He graduated medical school with MRCS and LSA in 1877, and successfully obtained his FRCS in 1880 after serving his house jobs at St. Thomas' School. During his time in medical school, Battle was given the Solly Medal in the first year it was awarded.

Battle joined the British Medical Association in 1886 and eventually became honorary secretary of the section of surgery. In 1888, Battle became assistant surgeon at East London Hospital for Children and also to the Royal Free Hospital. During this time, he was honored the title of Demonstrator in Practical Surgery in the School of Medicine for Women. From 1889 to 1890 he held the title of Hunterian Professor of Surgery and Pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Medical Achievements

Battle researched concussion and optic neuritis and is known for a number of discoveries:

• Battle's Sign, a bruise over the mastoid process that indicates basilar skull fracture.
• Battle's incision, a surgical incision used in appendectomies, with temporary medial retraction of the rectus muscle.
• Battle's operation, a surgical operation for femoral hernia.

Battle had one son, Lt. Col. Richard John Vulliamy Battle MBE, FRCS, LRCP, MCh Cantab, MA Cantab, BA Cantab, 1970 Gillies Gold Medal (21 January 1907 – 26 May 1982). He was an English plastic surgeon, and later President of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons.