Stuart Latham Bateson, RN
| Born | 7 Jul 1898 | South Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| Died | 17 Apr 1980 | (81) | Oakham, Rutland, Leicestershire, England, U.K. |
| Ranks
Retired: 23 Dec 1951 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Stuart Latham Bateson, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Latona (M 76) | Capt. | Minelayer | 15 Jan 1941 | 25 Oct 1941 |
| HMS Ajax (22) | Capt. | Light cruiser | 27 Nov 1941 | 26 May 1942 |
| HMS London (69) | Capt. | Heavy cruiser | 10 Dec 1944 | 15 Jan 1946 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Minelayer HMS Latona (M 76)
21 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) is commissioned for trials. (1)
4 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) successfully completed her acceptance trials and is taken over from her builders. (1)
6 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Spithead for the Clyde where she is to conduct a short work-up programme. (1)
16 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed the Clyde for Gibraltar.
20 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), loaded with stores and personnel for the Eastern Mediterranean, arrived at Gibraltar from the U.K. (2)
21 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
After having taken on board Oerlikon 20mm AA guns from HMS Furious, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (2)
25 May 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar. She departed Freetown for Simonstown via St. Helena later the same day. (3)
27 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The Admiralty ordered HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) to return to Gibraltar at 20 knots instead of proceeding to Simonstown via St. Helena. She was to fuel at Freetown before proceeding to Gibraltar. (3)
29 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The Admiralty ordered HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) to continue her originally intended passage to Simonstown via St. Helena. If she had not sufficient fuel to reach St. Helena she was to return to Freetown first to fuel there and then resume her passage. (3)
2 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) fuelled at St. Helena before resuming her passage to Simonstown. (3)
6 Jun 1941
Around 0540Z/6, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Freetown via St. Helena. (3)
7 Jun 1941
Around 1415Z/7, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Simonstown for Durban. Speed of advance was to be 29 knots. (1)
9 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Durban from Simonstown. (1)
10 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Durban for Kilindini / Mombasa. (4)
13 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Kilindini / Mombasa from Durban. (4)
14 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Kilindini / Mombasa for Aden. (4)
17 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Aden from Kilindini / Mombasa. She departed for Suez later the same day. (1)
19 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Suez from Aden. (1)
20 Jun 1941
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Port Said after having proceeded through the Suez Canal northbound. She departed for Alexandria later the same day. (1)
21 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Alexandria and joined the Mediterranean Fleet. (5)
17 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900C/17, the fast minelayers HMS Abdiel (Capt. E. Peydell-Bouverie, MVO, RN) and HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Alexandria for exercises. (6)
26 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN) arrived at Haifa from operations.
21 Sep 1941
Around 0830B/21, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Napier (Capt. S.H.T. Arliss, RN), HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 21/22 September and returned to Alexandria around 1220B/22. (7)
23 Sep 1941
Around 0800B/23, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) and HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria with troops and supplies for Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 23/24 September and returned to Alexandria around 1145B/24. (8)
14 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0855B/14, HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) proceeded to sea from Alexandria. She returned to the harbour 1745B/14. Presumably she had been at sea for trials and exercises. (9)
22 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0700B/22, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
They unloaded during the night of 22/23 October and returned to Alexandria around 1535B/23. (10)
25 Oct 1941
Around 0545B/25, the fast minelayer HMS Latona (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Encounter (Lt.Cdr. E.V.St J. Morgan, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HMS Kingston (Lt.Cdr. P. Somerville, DSO, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for a supply run to Tobruk.
Around mid afternoon they came under air attack from German and Italian aircraft but escaped damage until around 2000B/25, when HMS Latona was hit by a bomb. HMS Encounter and HMS Hero then took off the crew and soldiers which was completed around 2050B/25. There were 20 casualties amongs the crew of the Latona. Also 7 soldiers lost their live. The destroyers then searched the water nearby. During the process of taking of the crew and soldiers, HMS Hero was damaged aft and was only able to proceed at 10 knots later speed could be increased to around 20 knots. The buring wreck of HMS Latona was scuttled with a torpedo fired by HMS Encounter.
HMS Encounter and HMS Hotspur returned to Alexandria around 0935B/26. The damaged HMS Hero only around 1545B/26. The damaged destroyer had been joined by HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN), HMS Jupiter (Lt.Cdr. N.V.J.P. Thew, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson, DSO, RN) which had been detached from another force. (11)
Light cruiser HMS Ajax (22)
22 Jan 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Shortly before 1700 hours, HMS Ajax (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), departed Alexandria for Port Said. She was escorted until 2003 hours by the destroyers HMS Hotspur (Lt. T.D. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HrMs Isaac Sweers (Cdr. W. Harmsen, RNN). The destroyers then returned to Alexandria where they arrived later the same day. (12)
23 Jan 1942
Around 1100 hours HMS Ajax (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Port Said. (12)
Heavy cruiser HMS London (69)
11 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN) conducted D/G trials at Trincomalee. She then departed for a day of exercises which included a throw off shoot during which HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) acted as target. (13)
15 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Vice-Admiral H.T.C. Walker, CB, RN, struck his flag in HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN). (13)
17 Dec 1944
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Trincomalee to make rendezvous with the US troop transport USS General John Pope (17832 GRT, built 1943) and then escort her to Australia. (13)
19 Dec 1944
Around 1700FG(-6.5)/19, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) made rendezvous with the US troop transport USS General John Pope (17832 GRT, built 1943) and her two escorting destroyers HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. C.E.R. Sharp, RN) and HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN).
HMS Undaunted and HMS Ursa parted company around 0200FG/20. (13)
24 Dec 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600G/24, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) parted company with the US troop transport USS General John Pope (17832 GRT, built 1943) and set course for Fremantle. (13)
26 Dec 1944
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Fremantle from escort duty. (13)
9 Jan 1945
Convoy HB 1.
This convoy departed Hobart, Tasmania on 9 January 1945 and was dispersed at sea on 21 January 1945.
The convoy was made up of the British troop transport Empress of Scotland (Former Empress of Japan, 26032 GRT, built 1930) and the US troopships USS General William Mitchell (17811 GRT, built 1944) and USS General George M. Randall (17811 GRT, built 1944).
On departure from Hobart the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (Capt. F.J. Butler, CBE, RN) and the destroyers HMAS Quiberon (Cdr. W.H. Harrington, DSO, RAN) and HMAS Quickmatch (Cdr. O.H. Becher, DSC and Bar, RAN).
Around 1105H/14, HMAS Quiberon and HMAS Quickmatch parted company with the convoy.
Around 1140H/14, in approximate position 33°00'S, 108°20'E, HMNZS Achilles was relieved by the heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN).
Around 1400F/20, in approximate position 04°30'S, 75°30'E, HMS London was relieved as escort by the destroyers HMS Rotherham (Capt. H.W. Biggs, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Relentless (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Barstow, RN) and HMS Roebuck (Cdr. J.T. Lean, DSO, RN).
At 0530F/21, the Empress of Scotland parted company with the US troopships and then proceeded to Aden escorted by HMS Roebuck. They arrived at Aden on 25 January 1945.
The US troopships, and their escort of HMS Rotherham and HMS Relentless arrived at Bombay on 23 January. (14)
13 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Fremantle for convoy escort duty.
See the event ' Convoy US-SU ' for 9 January 1945 for more information on this convoy. (15)
22 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Trincomalee after convoy escort duty. (15)
25 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (15)
26 Jan 1945
Ships belonging to the Fleet Train of the British Pacific Fleet departed Trincomalee for Fremantle. These were the destroyer deport ship Tyne (Capt. S. Boucher, RN), repairs ships HMS Resource (Capt.(Retd.) D.B. O’Connell, RN), Artifex (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Flemming, RN) and the target ship HMS Lewes (T/Lt. M.H. Grylls, SANF(V)). The tanker Battle Rock (American, 10448 GRT, built 1944) was also in company with these ships.
Escort was provided by the heavy cruiser London and the minesweepers HMAS Cairns (T/Lt. N.G. Weber, RANR(S)), HMAS Cessnock (Lt. A.G. Chapman, RANR(S)), HMAS Gawler (Lt.Cdr. J.H.P. Dixon, RANR(S)), HMAS Geraldton (Cdr. J.K. Walton, RAN), HMAS Ipswich (T/Lt. R.H. Creasey, RANR(S)), HMAS Tamworth (T/Lt. D.B. Lloyd-Jones, RANR(S)) and HMAS Wollongong (T/Lt. J. Hare, RANR(S)).
They arrived at Fremantle on 9 February 1945. (16)
3 Apr 1945
During 3/4 April 1945, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included, torpedo firing, night bombardment and an underway refuelling exercises with the RFA tanker Echodale (8150 GRT, built 1941). (17)
8 Apr 1945
Operation Sunfish.
Photographic reconnaissance of the west coast of Sumatra and air attacks on northern Sumatra.
On 8 April 1945, ' Force 63 ' made up of the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth (Capt. R.M. Ellis, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Vice Admiral H.C.T. Walker, CB, RN), Richelieu (Capt. G.M.J. Merveilleux du Vignaux), escort carriers HMS Emperor (A/Capt. C. Madden, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.R. Patterson, CB, CVO, RN), HMS Khedive (A/Capt. D.H. Magnay, RN), heavy cruisers HMS Cumberland (Capt. P.K. Enright, RN), HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. M.L. Power, CBE, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Venus (Cdr. H.G.D. De Chair, DSC with Bar, RN), HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN), HMS Vigilant (Lt.Cdr. L.W.L. Argles, DSC, RN) and HMS Virago (Lt.Cdr. A.J.R. White, DSC, RN) departed Trincomalee.
The original intention was to carry out the planned photographic reconnaissance, beginning on 12th April from a flying off position west of Padang. Anti-shipping strikes would follow later.
This programme unfortunately had to be re-cast when HMS Emperor's catapult broke down, necessitating the postponement of the photographic reconnaissance for two days.
Accordingly, on 11 April 1945, HMS Queen Elizabeth, Richelieu and HMS London bombarded Sabang, while HMS Saumarez HMS Verulam and HMS Vigilant bombarded Ulee Lhoe. No shipping was present at Sabang, but the destroyers damaged a small coaster, which was already beached.
' Force 63 ' was subsequently attacked by a force of ten enemy aircraft, two of which were shot down by the Combat Air Patrol.
On 12 April 1945, ships from ' Force 63 ' refuelled from ' Force 70 ' (RFA tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the frigate HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR)) and HMS London was detached to proceed to Simonstown, South Africa where it had been arranged for her to refit. She was first to return to Trincomalee though.
' Force 63 ' then proceeded to operate off the west coast of Sumatra, and photographic reconnaissance was carried out as planned on 14th and 15th April with almost complete success. One of our aircraft was lost. One enemy aircraft was shot down by the Combat Air Patrol.
An air strike was made on Emmahaven on 16 April, hits being scored on a 4000 ton merchant ship and workshops in the harbour. Our fighters shot down one more enemy aircraft and three were claimed to have been damaged on the ground. Destroyers HMS Venus and HMS Virago, meanwhile made a sweep between the outlying islands and the mainland, from Ayerbangis Bay to Natal Road. A total of six junks were sunk.
' Force 63 ' arrived back in Ceylon, either at Trincomalee or Colombo on 20 April 1945. (16)
13 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) returned to Trincomalee from operations. She departed for Simonstown, South Africa later the same day. (17)
25 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Simonstown from Trincomalee. (17)
29 Apr 1945
Having completed de-ammunitioning, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), is taken in hand for refit at the Simonstown Dockyard. (17)
31 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) is docked at the Simonstown Dockyard. (18)
2 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) is undocked. (19)
11 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) conducted trials in False Bay. (19)
12 Jul 1945
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in False Bay. She departed for Trincomalee later the same day. (19)
25 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Simonstown. (19)
26 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 26/27 July 1945, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee, these included night exercises.
On the 26th, a range and inclination exercise was carried out during which HMS Wizard (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Hodgkinson, DSC and Bar, RN) served as target. (19)
2 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 2/3 August, HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) and HMS Phoebe (Capt. S.M. Raw, CBE, RN), conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. (20)
3 Aug 1945
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) departed Trincomalee for Mandapam. (21)
4 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) arrived at Mandapam from Trincomalee. (21)
6 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) proceeded from Mandapam to Trincomalee. (21)
12 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) proceeded from Trincomalee to Mandapam. (21)
13 Aug 1945
HMS London (Capt. S.L. Bateson, RN) proceeded from Mandapam to Trincomalee.
[Following the Japanese surrender, HMS London remained on station until January 1946 when she returned to the UK.]
[In the morning of 31 August 1945, At Sabang, the surrender of Sumatra was accepted on board HMS London by Commodore A.L. Poland, CB, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN, from the Japanese Vice-Admiral Sueto Hirose.] (21)
Sources
- ADM 199/2559
- ADM 199/661
- ADM 199/394
- ADM 199/408
- ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115212 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115314 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115214 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115215
- ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115215 + ADM 199/415
- ADM 53/115260
- ADM 53/119809
- ADM 53/120780 + ADM 53/121692 + ADM 199/1457 + logbook of USS General William Mitchell
- ADM 53/121692
- ADM 199/1457
- ADM 53/121695
- ADM 53/121696
- ADM 53/121698
- ADM 53/121699 + ADM 53/121985
- ADM 53/121699
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
You can help improve officers Stuart Latham Bateson's page
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this officer.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve his page.