Reginald Bateman Teacher and Soldier

The purpose of this volume is to commemorate the life and death of Reginald John Godfrey Bateman first Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan. It was felt by the Governors and Faculty of the University that his friends and old students would value a representative selection from the lectures delivered by him within the University and to the outside public. Included in the selection are a few poems which were found among his papers. The lectures and essays which are published here being written for popular audiences or literary gatherings inside the University were never intended by their author for publication as the original and considered critical work of a Professor of English; doubtless if such had been his purpose much that is printed here originally hurriedly prepared during the busy rush of a college session would have been altered and recast.. While originality was one of Professor Batemans most marked qualities the members of the committee entrusted with the preparation of this volume for the press have not in every case regarded originality of thought as a necessary qualification for inclusion. In making their selection they have rather been guided by the desire to give to his friends and old students what whether original in thought or not appeared to be in treatment and presentation most characteristic of the man and teacher.. War—and herein lies its greatest tragedy—always takes heavy toll of the promise and latent greatness of a nation its youth and vigorous young manhood. Like many others who risked all and gave all in the Great War Reginald Bateman was cut off in his prime.. He was born in Ireland some thirty-eight years ago. His schooldays were spent under Dr. Biggs often called the Irish Arnold at Portora Royal School perhaps the greatest of Irish public schools with a tradition of scholarship which is centuries old. On leaving school he entered Trinity College Dublin where he graduated with the Highest Honours in Modern Literature. In college his activities and interests were wide and he was an outstanding example of the student who combines with distinction in scholarship prominence in athletics and a broad and human outlook on life. In this as in other respects he was a worthy representative of the spirit of his University. After a few years experience of teaching in Ireland he was appointed to the chair of English at the University of Saskatchewan being one of the original four professors who with President Murray launched the University on its educational career in 1909. When a peaceful and unsuspecting world was plunged in August 1914 into the horrors of the most stupendous war in its history Professor Bateman quickly decided that his place was in the fighting line and he enlisted in the 28th Battalion in September 1914 in company with another professor and many members of our student body. His ability to handle men quickly became apparent; he soon won his sergeants stripes and went to France with that rank. In 1916 he was recalled to Canada to take command of the Saskatchewan Company of the Western Universities Battalion. He proceeded to England with the rank of major and in 1917 reverted to the rank of lieutenant in order to get again to France where he was wounded in action. He was holding the rank of captain in the 46th Battalion when he was killed on the 3rd of September 1918.