Reginald J.G. Bateman, Professor of English, standing in the uniform of the [Canadian Expeditionary Force] in front of a building.

Bio/Historical Note: Reginald John Godfrey Bateman was born on 12 October 1883 in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his early education at Royal School, County Fermanagh, and both his BA (1906) and MA (1909) from Trinity College. Shortly after graduation in 1909 Bateman immigrated to Canada and was hired as Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted as a private in the 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in September 1914 and served in France. In early 1916 the idea of a Western University Battalion took root. Initially the Canadian military was reluctant, but the combination of a strong lobbying campaign and the need for fresh troops to replace the mounting casualties in Europe tipped the scales. Bateman was sent back to Canada to raise a company of the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion. The 196th was to consist of a company from each of the four western provinces. Once formed, it trained at Camp Hughes in Manitoba and was then sent to England. The 196th’s history was brief. Once in England it was broken up to reinforce existing units. A high portion of the recruits eventually found themselves in the officers’ ranks. Many found themselves assigned to the Saskatchewan-dominated 46th Battalion. Also known as the "Suicide Battalion," it fought in some of the bloodiest encounters of the war. Reinforcements were constantly needed as battle after battle decimated its ranks. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th Battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. With the end of the war came demobilization and the end of the 46th Battalion. Reginald Bateman did not return. He was killed near Dury, France on 3 September 1918.

Head and shoulders image of Reginald J.G. Bateman, first Professor of English, in uniform of the [Canadian Expeditionary Force].

Bio/Historical Note: Reginald John Godfrey Bateman was born on 12 October 1883 in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his early education at Royal School, County Fermanagh, and both his B.A. (1906) and MA. (1909) from Trinity College. Shortly after graduation in 1909 Bateman immigrated to Canada and was hired as Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted as a private in the 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in September 1914 and served in France. In early 1916 the idea of a Western University Battalion took root. Initially the Canadian military was reluctant, but the combination of a strong lobbying campaign and the need for fresh troops to replace the mounting casualties in Europe tipped the scales. Bateman was sent back to Canada to raise a company of the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion. The 196th was to consist of a company from each of the four western provinces. Once formed, it trained at Camp Hughes in Manitoba and was then sent to England. The 196th’s history was brief. Once in England it was broken up to reinforce existing units. A high portion of the recruits eventually found themselves in the officers’ ranks. Many found themselves assigned to the Saskatchewan-dominated 46th Battalion. Also known as the "Suicide Battalion," it fought in some of the bloodiest encounters of the war. Reinforcements were constantly needed as battle after battle decimated its ranks. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th Battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. With the end of the war came demobilization and the end of the 46th Battalion. Reginald Bateman did not return. He was killed near Dury, France on 3 September 1918.

Head and shoulders image of Reginald J.G. Bateman, first Professor of English, in uniform of the [Canadian Expeditionary Force].

Bio/Historical Note: Reginald John Godfrey Bateman was born on 12 October 1883 in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his early education at Royal School, County Fermanagh, and both his B.A. (1906) and MA. (1909) from Trinity College. Shortly after graduation in 1909 Bateman immigrated to Canada and was hired as Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted as a private in the 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in September 1914 and served in France. In early 1916 the idea of a Western University Battalion took root. Initially the Canadian military was reluctant, but the combination of a strong lobbying campaign and the need for fresh troops to replace the mounting casualties in Europe tipped the scales. Bateman was sent back to Canada to raise a company of the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion. The 196th was to consist of a company from each of the four western provinces. Once formed, it trained at Camp Hughes in Manitoba and was then sent to England. The 196th’s history was brief. Once in England it was broken up to reinforce existing units. A high portion of the recruits eventually found themselves in the officers’ ranks. Many found themselves assigned to the Saskatchewan-dominated 46th Battalion. Also known as the "Suicide Battalion," it fought in some of the bloodiest encounters of the war. Reinforcements were constantly needed as battle after battle decimated its ranks. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th Battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. With the end of the war came demobilization and the end of the 46th Battalion. Reginald Bateman did not return. He was killed near Dury, France on 3 September 1918.

Head and shoulders image of Reginald J.G. Bateman, first Professor of English, in uniform of the [Canadian Expeditionary Force].

Bio/Historical Note: Reginald John Godfrey Bateman was born on 12 October 1883 in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his early education at Royal School, County Fermanagh, and both his B.A. (1906) and MA. (1909) from Trinity College. Shortly after graduation in 1909 Bateman immigrated to Canada and was hired as Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted as a private in the 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in September 1914 and served in France. In early 1916 the idea of a Western University Battalion took root. Initially the Canadian military was reluctant, but the combination of a strong lobbying campaign and the need for fresh troops to replace the mounting casualties in Europe tipped the scales. Bateman was sent back to Canada to raise a company of the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion. The 196th was to consist of a company from each of the four western provinces. Once formed, it trained at Camp Hughes in Manitoba and was then sent to England. The 196th’s history was brief. Once in England it was broken up to reinforce existing units. A high portion of the recruits eventually found themselves in the officers’ ranks. Many found themselves assigned to the Saskatchewan-dominated 46th Battalion. Also known as the "Suicide Battalion," it fought in some of the bloodiest encounters of the war. Reinforcements were constantly needed as battle after battle decimated its ranks. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th Battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. With the end of the war came demobilization and the end of the 46th Battalion. Reginald Bateman did not return. He was killed near Dury, France on 3 September 1918.

Head and shoulders image of Reginald J.G. Bateman, first Professor of English, 1909-1918.

Bio/Historical Note: Reginald John Godfrey Bateman was born on 12 October 1883 in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his early education at Royal School, County Fermanagh, and both his B.A. (1906) and MA. (1909) from Trinity College. Shortly after graduation in 1909 Bateman immigrated to Canada and was hired as Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted as a private in the 28th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in September 1914 and served in France. In early 1916 the idea of a Western University Battalion took root. Initially the Canadian military was reluctant, but the combination of a strong lobbying campaign and the need for fresh troops to replace the mounting casualties in Europe tipped the scales. Bateman was sent back to Canada to raise a company of the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion. The 196th was to consist of a company from each of the four western provinces. Once formed, it trained at Camp Hughes in Manitoba and was then sent to England. The 196th’s history was brief. Once in England it was broken up to reinforce existing units. A high portion of the recruits eventually found themselves in the officers’ ranks. Many found themselves assigned to the Saskatchewan-dominated 46th Battalion. Also known as the "Suicide Battalion," it fought in some of the bloodiest encounters of the war. Reinforcements were constantly needed as battle after battle decimated its ranks. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th Battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. With the end of the war came demobilization and the end of the 46th Battalion. Reginald Bateman did not return. He was killed near Dury, France on 3 September 1918.

Louis Brehaut (standing), head, Department of Philosophy, and Reginald J.G. Bateman, head, Department of English, looking at [some papers].

Bio/Historical Note: Louis Brehaut (1881-1932) was born in 1881 in Nova Scotia and graduated from Dalhousie University in 1904 with high honours and medal in Greek and English. Brehaut spent several years teaching at Oxford and St. Andrews University in Scotland. Brehaut eventually returned to Oxford and finished his degree. He then lectured in Manchester University (England) and acted as examiner for St. Andrews. Brehaut joined the University of Saskatchewan. He enlisted in 1914, became a victim of shell-shock in 1915 and was invalided home to Canada. Brehaut was unable to continue teaching and resigned in 1916. He died in [Prince Edward Island] at age 51.
Bio/Historical Note: Reginald J.G. Bateman (1883-1918) enlisted in 1914, went overseas in 1915, and returned to the U of S in 1916 to raise a company of the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion. Of the 5,374 men in the 46th Battalion, 4,917 were either killed or wounded. Bateman was killed near Dury, France on 3 September 1918.

Head and shoulders image of J.V, Bateman, Department of Philosophy, 1920-1961.

Bio/Historical Note: John Victor Bateman was born 11 June 1897 at Eden Terrace, Limerick, Ireland, attended Trinity and was a lecturer there. He played rugby and was a member of Pembroke Swimming Club. Bateman moved to Canada and took a post in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Saskatchewan. He was awarded a doctorate by Edinburgh University in 1934. Bateman died at Colwood, British Columbia in 1986. He was the brother of Reginald J.G. Bateman (1893-1918), first professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan, who was killed in action in France on 3 Sept. 1918.

Elevated view of second Convocation ceremony and official opening of the University of Saskatchewan buildings. In attendance, front row: John L. Hogg; James Alexander Calder (Minister of Education); J.A. MacLean (University of Manitoba); Robert A. Falconer, (University of Toronto); Walter Scott (Premier of Saskatchewan); George W. Brown (Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan); Frederick W.G. Haultain (Chief Justice of Saskatchewan); Walter C. Murray (University President), Bishop Jervois Arthur Newnham, Anglican Bishop of Saskatchewan); Angus McKay; William J. Rutherford; Archdeacon Dewdney; George H. Ling. Second row: W.C. Sutherland; [Arthur McMaster Fenwick]; R.W. Shannon; A.P. McNab; William R. Motherwell; A. MacDonald; A.D.C. Allard; James Clinkskill; W.J. Bell; W.J. Dixon; George Reynolds Peterson; David D. Low; Wellington B. Willoughby; Ethan B. Hutcherson. Third row: Thomas N. Willing; John A. MacDonald; Robert D. MacLaurin; Ira A. MacKay; John Bracken; Alexander R. Greig; Reginald J.G. Bateman; John T. Tuckey; A.J. Mather; Rev. Colin G. Young; Judge Alexander Gray Farrell; Augustus H. Ball; Joseph A. Snell. Ceremony in Convocation Hall; paintings of Angus Mackay and a flag in background.

Image of the University Company of the 28th Battalion. Members, back row (l to r): Arthur Gordon Gruchy, C. Day, H. Barr, C.A. Scott, Louis Brehaut. Second row: Harry Berry, W. Garrod, Herbert Olding, John Bolton Allen, William Burd and Corporal William Exton Lloyd. Front row: Sergeant Arthur Stephen Kenyon Lloyd, Sergeant J. Eadon Reaney, Lieutenant B. Smith, Sergeant H. Spackman and Sergeant Reginald J.G. Bateman.

Bio/Historical Note: The 28th Battalion (Northwest), CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I. The 28th Battalion originally recruited in Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and Fort William and Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), Ontario and was mobilized at Winnipeg, Manitoba. The battalion was authorized on 7 November 1914 and embarked for Britain on 29 May 1915. It disembarked in France on 18 September 1915, where it fought as part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division, in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920. The battalion had five officers commanding: Lieutenant-Colonel J.F.L. Embury, CMG, 29 May 1915 – 17 September 1916; Lieutenant-Colonel A. Ross, DSO, 17 September 1916 – 1 October 1918; Major G.F.D. Bond, MC, 2 October 1918 – 6 November 1918; Major A.F. Simpson, DSO, 6 November 1918 – 16 December 1918; Lieutenant-Colonel D.E. MacIntyre, DSO, MC, 16 December 1918-Demobilization.The 28th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours: Mount Sorrel, Somme, 1916, 1918; Flers-Courcelette, Thiepval, Ancre Heights, Arras, 1916, 1918, Vimy, 1917, Scarpe, 1917, 1918, Hill 70; Ypres 1917; Passchendaele; Amiens; Hindenburg Line; Drocourt-Quéant; Canal du Nord; Cambrai, 1918; Pursuit to Mons, France and Flanders, 1915-1918.