Reginald St John Beardsworth Battersby (26 February 1900 – 1 December 1977) was, at the age of 15, the youngest known commissioned officer of the British Army of the First World War.

Battersby was wounded in action leading a platoon over the top on the first day of the Somme but returned to duty to fight in the 1917 Operations on the Ancre.

During the Second World War, he organised the local Home Guard unit and, between 1943 and 1945, served as a chaplain to the Royal Marines at Chatham Dockyard.

[3] Battersby's father discovered he had enlisted and rather than request his release from the army for being underage, instead insisted that his son be recommended for a commission as befitted his social standing.

[3] Battersby served with the unit in the trenches and on one occasion during a raid on the German front line with his batman was caught by an enemy patrol.

[2] The battalion participated in the first day on the Somme offensive of 1 July 1916, and, at the age of 16, Battersby became the youngest officer to fight in that battle.

[6] Before they reached the last British trench, his platoon was hit by fire from a German machine gun that was methodically sweeping along the attacking troops, and Battersby fell, struck by bullets in his side, back, and left arm.

[6] As he was wounded so close to the British lines, Battersby was able to be taken to the field dressing station at Railway Hollow where he received medical attention and was evacuated to England to convalesce.

[2][6] Battersby and the Accrington Pals spent the winter of 1916–17 in the trenches opposite Serre, which survived repeated British attacks in that period.

[6][3][8] This killed or wounded all bar one of the officers present, including Battersby who was hit in his upper left leg by a piece of shrapnel.

[9] Battersby was asked by the army to relinquish his commission later that year owing to his wounds but replied that he would be capable of returning to duty if he received an artificial leg.