Sir Geoffrey,FRCS,KB & Lady Bateman

.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 Breat 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

 

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.