Jean Batten's Childhood

Jean Batten, aged 15, 1923

Born Jane Gardner Batten in Rotorua, New Zealand on the fifteenth of September, 1909. Referred to as Jean, she was the third child to parents, Frederick Harold Batten and Ellen (Nellie) Blackmore, after her two elder brothers. Her father worked as a dentist in Rotorua until Jean was five and the family moved to Auckland. When the war began, Fred Batten was sent to fight, leaving the family without a significant source of income. Due to these financial problems, Jean was forced to move from Melmerley Ladies School in Parnell to a state school. Many who attended school with Jean agreed she was isolated and detached from the other students. After the war the strain on the family finances was the cause of many disagreements between Jean’s parents and eventually led to their divorce. Jean’s elder brothers stayed with their father while Ellen took Jean to a new place of residence where they would form a very intense relationship.

Jean Batten and her mother Ellen Blackmore

Jean’s interest in aviation developed in the late 1920’s as a large group of world record breaking flights began. Jean’s mother presented her with many opportunities to encourage her latest ambition, including a trip to Sydney where Jean took a flight with Australian Aviator, Charles Kingford Smith. One year later using money Jean received from selling her piano, she and her mother sailed to England, where Jean began attending lessons at the London Aeroplane Club. Gaining her ‘A’ licence, Jean began planning for her first serious solo flight.



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