Clem Battye

Mr. Clement Battye was born March 6, 1900 at Princes Street, Batley, in the district of Dewsbury, England.

He came with his family to Canada in 1903. The family with a young Clem arrived in Calgary, Alberta and later moved to Vancouver and then Vernon, British Columbia. In 1911, the family returned to England to Huddersfield, Yorkshire, where Clem attended Oaks Boys School. He proved to be a fast learner and became fond of reading and writing poetry.

In 1913, his family moved back to Canada and settled in Kaleden, British Columbia. Clem married Mary Elizabeth Craig in 1937 and raised three children in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.

In his early eighties, Clem went back to his passion for writing. Poetry was his love and creating poems based on his aspiring surroundings gave him tremendous joy. Clem died peacefully on May 13, 1999 at the grand age of 99. He left a legacy of published works bearing his name.

As a past Honourary Lifetime Member of the Penticton Writers and Publishers, Clem bequeathed to the co-founders of the group a legacy with which to create a writers’ conference in his name aimed at benefiting all genre of writing as well as all writers of all ages.

On behalf of writers everywhere, Penticton Writers and Publishers wish to thank Clem Battye for his generosity. We will strive to fulfill his request by attracting the industries best to the Okanagan for the Annual Clem Battye Conference.

Also established in Clem Battye's name is the Clem Battye Writer's Award.


Click Here to see The Clem Battye Legacy Award Annual Writing Contest page!