Bateman, Francis William Silas

4719 Bombardier Francis William Silas Bateman - 1st Trench Mortar Battery

Francis William Silas Bateman was born in Fremantle in 1880 to Francis and Anne Bateman. He was one of five children born into the family with, Mervyn (1879 died-1886), Walter (1884 died 1886), Mervyn (1887) and Albert (1893).

He was educated at Fremantle Grammar School and after leaving school he took up work for the family company. Frank served a seven-year apprenticeship with J&W Bateman hardware store in Fremantle. This seems to have served him well as he graduated up to become an ironmonger and then an auctioneer.

Frank also served for two years with the Fremantle Garrison Artillery of the Citizen Military Forces. In 1904 he married Edith Emily Gates and they set up residence, firstly in Sea View Street and then in Trafford Street Beaconsfield. They would have five children over the next few years, John (1904), Percival (1908), William (1911), Dorothy (1914) and Ronald (1922).

On the 17th May 1915 Frank enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. The medical examiner found him to be fit for service and recorded his details as;

Height - 5 feet 8 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 176lbs;

Chest Measurement - 39-42 inches,

Complexion - Dark;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Dark Brown.

After a short time in the training camp Frank was assigned to the 7th Reinforcements to the 8th Field Artillery Battery of the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. The artillery reinforcements were sent along to Melbourne to complete their training and on the 10th August 1915 Frank boarded the RMS Persia and set sail from Melbourne for Egypt.

Frank didn't spend long in Egypt as on the 30th September 1915 he arrived at Gallipoli and was taken on strength of the 8th Battery 3rd Field Artillery Brigade.

After his service at Gallipoli Frank continued to served with his unit through the first five months of 1916 in Egypt and France. In May 1916 Frank was transferred to the 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Column. In June 1916 he was then transferred to the 1st Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery.

He served through the Battles at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916 and then served continuously at the front till November 1917. He was then seconded for duty with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade for a short time but in December 1917 returned to his unit.

In 1917 Frank had fought with his unit at Bapaume, Le Barque, Lagnicourt, Boursies, Bullecourt and Passchendaele.

On the 11th March 1918 Frank was diagnosed with scabies and sent to England to recover. His brother Albert had been wounded on the 10th March 1918 and would also be going to England. The brothers would meet up in England.

(Photo Below of Albert and Francis Bateman)

Due to his illness Frank would be spending the remainder of the year in England. On the 2nd January 1919 he boarded the hospital ship Berrima and set sail home for Fremantle.

Frank Bateman was discharged from the AIF on the 4th April 1919.

After a few more years in Fremantle the family moved to Leederville

Francis William Silas Bateman died in South Perth on the 24th August 1941 age 61. He is buried in Fremantle Cemetery Congregational section Mon DD 0001.