10th March 1915

Corporal Ernest Bateman, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, was killed in action on 10th March 1915 according to Commonwealth War Graves records. Soldiers Died in the Great War lists the date of death as 26th June 1915.

He was born in Milcombe, Oxfordshire on 15th June 1884 and was the third of ten children born to parents, William and Clara Ellen (née Ayers) who had married in 1880. William died in 1907 and Clara married William Organ the following year.

By 1891 the family had moved to Baddesley Clinton and Ernest is known to have attended Temple Balsall School. The family had moved to Rushall by  1894 and to Shenstone by 1901.

Ernest became a farm labourer before joining the Army as a regular soldier. By the time war broke out, he had been transferred to the Reserves, so was recalled to the Colours.

He married Amy Lilian Richardson in 1905 and the couple are known to have had two children – Cyril George (1906-1980) and Violet Lilian (1908-1988).

Ernest Bateman has no known grave and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial. If you have any further information, please let us know.

Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian