Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

Family group:

Six: Acting Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Bateson, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was “mentioned” for services with the B.E.F. in 1940 and again for the North West Europe operations 1944-45

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Capt., R.A.M.C.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, good very fine and better

Pair: Mrs. K. M. Bateson, Territorial Army Nursing Service, who served with the B.E.F. in 1940

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, in original addressed card forwarding box with Army Council slip and a T.A.N.S. badge (15)
£250-300

William George Bateson, who was born in November 1911, was placed on the Supplementary Reserve of Officers following service with the R.A.M.C. on the North West Frontier in the mid-to-late 1930s. Recalled in September 1939, he was appointed a Captain a year later, but held the rank of Acting (or Temporary) Major until further advanced to Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1944, which latter rank appears to have become substantive in June 1945. Bateson, who clearly witnessed active service with the B.E.F. in 1940, out in Burma and again in the North West Europe after D-Day, was twice mentioned in despatches, firstly for ‘distinguished services in operations in the field, March-June 1940’ (London Gazette 20 December 1940 refers), and secondly for ‘gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe’ (London Gazette 22 March 1945 refers).

Mrs. K. M. Bateson, a Territorial Army Nursing Service nurse, also served with the B.E.F. between September 1939 and June 1940, a deduction made possible by her 1939-45 Star entitlement and an accompanying Army Medal Office letter (dated 18 October 1953).