Roll of Honour

Dennis Bateman

It is with great sadness that we have been informed that Dennis Bateman died on Saturday 31 October 2014 in Victoria Australia.

Dennis first joined 1st Parachute Squadron in 1946 subsequently transferring to 9 Airborne Squadron on the disbandment of 1St Squadron. In 1947 he was radio operator for the then OC "Major Eric O'Callaghan" during the Squadron's tour in Palestine and the Canal Zone. On their return to the UK Dennis ran the Squadron signals section for the remainder of his time with the Squadron until demob in 1952.

Soon after his demob he migrated to Australia where he soon met up with other ex Para Brigade soldiers and joined the Victoria Branch of the British Airborne Forces Association. When the AEA was formed Dennis was amongst the first to enrol and wrote regularly to other members living in the UK.

He never lost contact with his former friends, one of the younger members, Wally Gee, was his Welfare Officer and they would meet up every other week.

Dennis will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in Victoria Australia and those who remember him from his service days with the Squadron.