Bateman, Vernon

3756 Sergeant Vernon Bateman - 51st Battalion & W66602 Perth Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps

Vernon Bateman was born in Fremantle WA on the 8th January 1890 to John and Mary Bateman. He was one of eight children born into the family, with John (1879), Lewis (1880), Mabel (1882), Herbert (1884), Guy (1887), William (1893) and Charles (1895).

The family lived in Moss Street East Fremantle and Vernon was educated at Fremantle Grammar School and Scotch College.

After leaving school Vernon took up work as a clerk for J&W Bateman & Co in Fremantle.

With the Great War two of Vern's brothers, Herbert and William enlisted early in 1915 and were assigned to the 28th Battalion.

On the 5th November 1915 Vernon also enlisted into the AIF and was accepted as fit for service. The medical examiner recorded his details as;

Height - 5 feet 9 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 138lbs;

Chest Measurement  - 33-37 inches;

Complexion - Sallow;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Dark Brown.

After his successful enlistment Vernon was sent to No.36 Training Depot at Blackboy Hill Camp. On the 7th December 1915 Vern was sent to an NCO School and was then attached to the 9th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion.

On the 12th February 1916 Vern left Fremantle aboard the HMAT Miltiades and the ship set sail for Egypt. When Vern reached Egypt the 28th Battalion was already at it's full complement of numbers so he was marched into the 7th Training Battalion.

However on the 2nd April 1916 he was transferred to the newly forming 51st Battalion. Shortly after joining he was promoted to Lance Corporal and trained with his new unit in the Egyptian desert till the ned of May 1916.

On the 5th June 1916, the 51st Battalion sailed to France, reaching Marseilles on the 12th June 1916. They were then entrained north to Armentieres where they would have their first taste of life on the Western Front. 

In August 1916 the 51st Battalion took part in the Battle of the Somme. On the 9th August he was wounded at Pozieres and was shell shocked by a closely exploding shell. Vern suffered from concussion and temporary blindness. He was evacuated back to a hospital at Rouen and his condition was assessed as serious enough to be sent to England.

Vern was admitted to Lord Derby's War Hospital at Durrington. Vern would be in Hospital for some time. When he was released he went into the AIF training camps where he was given time to regain his fitness. Vern worked at the camps at Perham Downs, Codford and Tidworth. In November 1917 he was promoted to Corporal and in January 1918 to Sergeant. 

During this time in England, Vern was transferred to the Australian Army Medical Corps. He continued to work with the AAMC in 1918 in England. On the 13th April 1919 he was part of the nursing staff on the Hospital Ship Wyreema which left England on the 13th April 1919. He arrived back at Fremantle on the 24th May 1919.

Prior to leaving England Vern had the opportunity to have his photo taken with other Fremantle mates and relative.

Photo below shows; Walter Flindell and Ernie Mainstone both 32nd Battalion in back row and Vern Bateman and Albert Bateman in front row.

Vernon Bateman was discharged from the AIF on the 8th July 1919. He resumed work for J&W Bateman and on the 21st October 1921 he married Dorothy Hutton in Perth. They would go on to live at 35 Marita Road Claremont. Vern would also start work as a Hardware merchant.

He enlisted again in World War Two. (W66602) Vern would serve with the Perth Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps. He also was put to work as an Armourer at the Ordnance School.

Vernon Bateman died on the 5th March 1975 at Hollywood Hospital aged 86. He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery Anglican plot Lawn 5 0397.