JAMES BATEMANLance 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 in 2007. 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."
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