Your Memories
13.06.2008 : Joseph Davis wrote
God bless you soldier. My thoughts and prayers are with you and those you have left behind. Rest in peace
14.06.2008 : Alan Oatham wrote
We only knew each other for a short while but your passion, love and commitment to Vicky and the Para's was clear.
RIP Buddy
14.06.2008 : Laura Clements wrote
We only met on one occasion before you went James but I have since become very close to your amazing wife Vicky. Your friends and family are so, so proud of all you achieved and you will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
You can rest in peace knowing Vicky & Roxy have much love and support from us all.
xxx
14.06.2008 : Roy Fullbrook wrote
I didn't know you but read about you on a West Ham United forum and as a fellow Hammer felt extremely sad at your passing. God bless you and your family mate, you were doing a job every right-minded Briton should be eternally grateful for.
14.06.2008 : simon rogers wrote
Jay you were a great friend - Having known you since your first day in 2 para we spent alot of time together whether it be walking the streets of Ireland, being chased by baboons in Kenya or more serious times in Iraq. Jay would always do anything for anybody without thought for himself and always put others first. I could write all the things that everyone else in my position writes, but I want people to know that you were a real gentle giant who had a heart of gold and always made friends so easily. You were a real mate to me and have helped me throurgh some tough times in the past. Whether the situation be good or bad you always kept a great attitude towards life and made so many of us that were close to you happy. Now on your passing we all sit in silence, close our eyes and its never hard to find a great memory of you pal - we all really do miss you mate. We have shed many a tear for you as you really were a number one friend - goodbye my friend, you will never be forgotten. DODGE
Proud and honest para killed on patrol
Lance Corporal James Bateman, of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan on 12 June, 2008, aged 29.
He died alongside Private Jeff Doherty while on routine foot patrol near their base at Forward Operating Base Gibraltar in the Upper Gereshk Valley after coming under enemy fire. A third soldier was also injured in the incident. Their deaths brought to 102 the number of British troops killed in the conflict since 2003.
Their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Joe O’Sullivan, said: "They died doing what they had been asked to do, operating in difficult country against a dangerous enemy to make it harder for the enemy to influence the people and give those people the chance of a better life.
"The Battalion’s memorial stone bears the inscription ‘there is no better place in the world to be than in the midst of 2 PARA when there is a battle on’. LCpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty wanted to be in the Parachute Regiment and in the midst of 2 PARA in Afghanistan.
"Their commitment to their friends and the steadfast courage they showed as they faced their battle this morning is in the finest tradition of the Regiment and admired by us all. We will think about them, and what they were prepared to give here, and we will think about their families whose loss is so great."
James ‘Jay’ Bateman was born on 11 January, 1979, and grew up in Staines, Middlesex, where he went to school.
He lived in Colchester with his wife Victoria to whom he was married in Salisbury Cathedral last year. Jay was a man of passions, dedicated to his wife, applying relentless enthusiasm to his job and fervent about West Ham United Football club.
He was larger than life in every respect, a man of considerable physical presence; he was loud, vivacious and overflowing with life.He joined the Parachute Regiment in 2001, and upon completion of his training was posted to 2 PARA in March 2002, initially to 9 Platoon, C (Bruneval) Company.
On promotion to Lance Corporal he was posted to D Company. He had served with the Battalion in Northern Ireland and Iraq previously.
It was just before deployment that he returned to 8 Platoon as second-in-command of 1 Section in the Company in which he began his career. Brimming with enthusiasm, he had his sights set on gaining a posting for 16 Air Assault Brigade’s specialist Pathfinder Platoon.Lance Corporal Bateman was a proud and honest Paratrooper, respected for being a gentleman as much as he was for his unbridled energy and professionalism.
He was fit and had taken part in amateur boxing at company level. He barely stopped to pause, with unmatched staying power and a work ethic that put most to shame. C (Bruneval) Company was his spiritual home and his return to the company marked a new juncture in his career.
His wife Victoria said: "I would like to firstly thank everybody for their ongoing support. Secondly, I would like you all to know how immensely proud we are of him and all that he has achieved. I know how he loved the Parachute Regiment and I draw comfort from the fact that he died doing the job he loved, for the country he loved, with the friends he loved. He was a loving Husband, Brother, Son and Uncle. I would like the lads to carry on the work he was doing.I love him and will miss him greatly. He was our hero."
His Company Commander, Major Adam Dawson said: "LCpl Bateman rejoined the company shortly before the deployment for the HERRICK 8 tour. I am unable to recollect a soldier more happy to be back amongst his friends, at the sharp end and taking on what he considered to be his core business, his profession and a challenge.
"He was elated to be back with 8 Platoon and exemplified everything that is expected of the Junior Non Commissioned Officer on operations – he was energetic, hard working, fit and keen, a source of inspiration and a man with a light heart and a sensitive touch.
"This was the life he had chosen, it was the life he loved and he had aspirations to join his brother at The Special Forces Support Group on completion of the tour. He was the first to volunteer, the last to give up and above all extremely proud to be a Paratrooper, imbued with the Regimental ethos and dedicated to his friends and his soldiers.
"His death leaves an irreplaceable gap in the ranks of Bruneval Company and a hole in the lives of his friends and colleagues who consider themselves blessed to have known him. A loyal husband and a gentleman."
