Thomas Pateman
was one of three Chailey brothers who served during the First World War. A fourth
brother, Ernest Pateman, attested under the Derby Scheme but was medically unfit and did not serve.
Thomas Pateman
was born in late 1878 or early 1879, his birth being registered at Lewes in the March quarter of that year.
When the 1881
census was taken he was living at Plumtree House, Chailey with his parents and younger brother. The household comprised Charles Pateman (aged 28, an agricultural labourer born in Chailey), his wife Susannah
Pateman (aged 26 from Fletching), Charles Pateman (aged four) and Thomas, aged two.
By the time the
1891 census was taken, the family had grown. The family was now living at North
Common, Chailey and Charles Senior’s occupation is listed as traction engine driver.
Curiously his age is noted as 39 whilst his wife’s is noted as 35. Charles
and Thomas (14 and 12 respectively) were working as farm labourers but by now they had two more brothers and two sisters:
Elizabeth A Pateman (aged nine), Emily A Pateman, aged six, Alfred Pateman (aged two) and Ernest Pateman (aged one).
I could not find
Thomas on the 1901 census and it is quite possible that by this stage he had already joined the army and was serving overseas,
possibly in South Africa. His original number - 4582
- dates either to early 1900 or to around July 1909. In 1900, Thomas would have been about 21 years old and it seems
more likely to me that he would have joined up as a young man in his twenties rather than a sa thirty year old.
The 1901 census
shows the family still living at North Common. Charles Pateman senior (now aged
48) is listed as a thrashing engine driver. His wife Susannah is aged 45 and
their sons, Charles junior (aged 24), Alfred (aged 12) and Ernest (aged 11) are all still living at home. Charles junior, like his father, is working on heavy machinery and noted as a steam roller driver. Elizabeth Pateman was working as a cook for a domestic household in Hove, Sussex while her sister Emily was working as a kitchen maid in Brighton.
Chailey Parish
Magazine first mentions Thomas Pateman in October 1914, noting that his serving his King and Country. In October 1915 he is recorded as RSM T Pateman of the 4th Queen’s Hussars, serving in France.
In July 1916,
the parish magazine notes that he has been Mentioned in Dispatches and this is followed in November 1916 by the information
that he has been awarded the Military Medal. Notification of this award also
appeared in the London Gazette of 10th October 1916.
In April 1917
the parish magazine notes that he has been Mentioned in Dispatches for a second time and this information is then repeated
up to and including the final published roll call in July 1919.
After he had
finished his career in the army, Thomas Pateman moved to Windsor
in Berkshire where he ran a public house. His
medal information card at the National Archives in Kew shows two army numbers: 4582 (with
the rank of Staff Sergeant Major) and 45211 (with the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1). It also shows that he arrived
in France on 15th August 1914, the same day as his brother Alf who was serving with the same regiment. Thomas though,
applied for his clasp and roses.
Thomas Pateman’s
cousins, Percy and Walter Pateman, also served their King and Country during the First World War.
Sources
and Acknowledgements
- 1881 Census of England
and Wales
- 1891 Census of England
and Wales
- 1901 Census of England
and Wales
- England and Wales Civil Registration
Index 1837-1983
- Chailey Parish Magazine
- The National Archives’ on-line medal information card index
- The London Gazette – Issue 29780, Page 9, 10th October 1916
- Steve Beeby of the Great War Forum
- Interview with Mick Pateman in 2003
