John Batten
Actor
Brother of pioneering aviator Jean Batten, Rotorua-born John Batten began acting in films while living in the United States. By the 1930s he was winning starring roles in England, including The Great Game and submarine drama Men Like This. Later he appeared in his only known New Zealand film, Rudall Hayward short Song of the Wanganui. Batten passed away in England in 1993.
Rotorua-born John Batten looked every inch the movie star — tall, dark and handsome. Incidentally, he was also aviator Jean Batten’s brother. Ngā Taonga website, May 2014