Sir Geoffrey,FRCS,KB & Lady Bateman

Research by Joan West

Geoffrey and Margaret Bateman purchased Grymsdyke in November 1947, when the RAF moved out after WW2. It had been the Offices and Officer's Mess and a considerable amount of work needed doing to get it in good order.

31st March 1971 Conveyance.

Margaret Bateman conveyed Grymsdyke in trust to Geoffrey Robert Turner Bateman and Patricia Mary Bateman (known as Robert & Paddy). In 1982 they emigrated to Ontario, Canada, later moving to northern California, USA.

11th October 1982 Conveyance.

Geoffrey Robert Turner Bateman and Patricia Mary Bateman sold to Robert Harmer King and Elizabeth King, his wife, for £48,000 :-

Schedule. All that land situate at Lacey Green in the County of Buckingham, comprising in area 16.73 acres being numbered 7669 and 8946 on the Ordinance Survey, being part of the land contained in the conveyance dated 31st March 1971.

Sir Geoffrey Bateman, FRCS; KB. Obituary by N T Bateman, son. (put Obituary in Search for tributes to other people)

Consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon St Thomas's Hospital, 1939-71 (born Rochdale 1906; Q. Oxford/King's 1929; FRCS;KB), died September 1998.

He served with the Royal Air Force during the war, reaching the rank of wing commander, before returning to the bomb damaged St Thomas's. His department developed a popular training programme, which launched the careers of many British and foreign graduates.

He was president of the Association of Otolaryngologists in 1970/1 and the Visiting Association of Throat and Ear Surgeons of Great Britain in 1966.

He was consultant surgeon to the army 1966-71 and consultant advisor in otolaryngology to the Department of Health and Social Security 1967-71.

For his contribution to the Nightingale School of Nursing he was one of the first men awarded a Nightingale badge.

He was chairman of the rebuilding committee, which completed its work when he "topped out" the north wing in 1974.

His interests included tennis, golf, and fishing. He leaves a wife, Margaret; a daughter and three sons, all of whom miss his quite dignity and wise counsel.

Exhibition in St John's Church of members of the RAF who lived in Lacey Green, researcher Joan West for 2008 The Local History Group

After WW2, Wing Commander Sir Geoffrey Hirst Bateman and family lived at ‘Grymsdyke’, Main Road, Lacey Green

Geoffrey Bateman was a distinguished E.N.T. (ear, nose and throat) Surgeon at St. Thomas’, London. By 1939 he had been appointed onto the consultative staff.

Pre 1939 he had been on the Military Reserve and in 1939 he was called for Active Service.   He was promoted to Wing Commander.

Post War. He returned to St. Thomas’, where the experience gained in organization and improvisation during his service years was invaluable as he worked to improve the service and training at the hospital.   He acquired a considerable reputation in his field and his department became renowned for its training.

1959-1964.   Hon. Secretary of Council of Otolaryngology, becoming President 1970-71. 1961-1978.   Edited the Journal of Laryngogoly

1966-1971   Consultant advisor to the army and the Dept. of Health and Social Security

His administrative experience during the war stood him in good stead as a member of St. Thomas’ Rebuilding Committee.   He performed the ‘Topping Out’ ceremony He retired in 1971

In 1972 he was knighted for his services to St. Thomas’ and Laryngology, thus making him Sir Geoffrey and his wife, Lady Bateman.

He married Margaret Turner in 1931.   They had 3 sons, Christopher, Robert and Nigel and 1 daughter, Susan.                                Lady Margaret Bateman 1906 - 2008 by Ted Janes

When I heard of the death of Lady Margaret Bateman, aged 102, I got to thinking of the first time I met her and the years we worked together - a remarkable woman.

In the late 50s my wife and I ran the Village Youth Club and I attended the Village Hall AGM to repudiate criticism that the youth were causing damage to the Hall. I left the meeting having strongly made my point as the elected Chairman, proposed by a Mrs M Bateman (not yet a Lady).

I soon found, in this new position, that the job was not very easy. A quartet of ladies, namely Miss Fagge, Mrs Frederick, Miss Fletcher and Mrs Bateman has set themselves, very commendably, as custodians of the hall. I had to be very firm and made it plain that, if I was to remain Chairman, things would have to be conducted a little more democratically.

Like many organisations even today, the post of secretary fell vacant and no-one could be found until Mrs Bateman volunteered. As Chairman and Secretary, we worked harmoniously and happily for several years. I got to know what a kind, considerate and caring person she was, and of course very generous. The old hall benefited greatly from her generosity, as did the Sports Club, Lacey Green and Speen Schools and many other charities she supported. But it was never Margaret - always Mrs Bateman and never Ted - always Mr Janes.

About this time, I was also Chairman of the Parish Council and several times I pleaded with her to sell or give the field that is now Roundlands and Eastlands estates for a playing field, but to no avail. However, the fact that the estate includes some old people's bungalows was through her initiative and she did give a good strip of ground at the back of the old Hall without which it is doubtful the new Hall could be erected.

She retired with her husband to a village near Petworth in Sussex around 1970. I thought the village had lost a good friend but, almost to the end of her life, she retained an interest in Lacey Green and, I believe, a nostalgic affinity.