John Bateman-Champain

John Norman Bateman-Champain (14 March 1880 – 22 October 1950) was a first-class English cricketer, making five appearances for Gloucestershire,[1] who later in life became the third Anglican Bishop suffragan of Knaresborough.[2] Bateman-Champain was a right-handed batsman.

John Bateman-Champain

Personal information
Full name	John Norman Bateman-Champain
Born	14 March 1880 Richmond Hill, Surrey, England
Died	22 October 1950 (aged 70) Westbury-on-Trym, Gloucestershire, England
Batting	Right-handed
Relations	Frederick Currie (brother-in-law) Claude Bateman-Champain (brother) Francis Bateman-Champain (brother) Hugh Bateman-Champain (brother) Fendall Currie (uncle) Revd Sir Frederick Currie (uncle) Robert Currie (uncle) William Currie (uncle)
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1899	Gloucestershire
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 5 Runs scored 36 Batting average 5.14 100s/50s –/– Top score 17 Balls bowled 6 Wickets – Bowling average – 5 wickets in innings – 10 wickets in match – Best bowling – Catches/stumpings 2/–
Source: Cricinfo, 26 June 2010

Early life and education

John Bateman-Champain was born at Richmond Hill, Surrey. Bateman-Champain was born into a military family, son of LtCol Sir John Underwood Bateman-Champain of the Bengal Royal Engineers. The younger John was educated at Cheltenham College and Caius College, Cambridge.[3][4] and studied for ordination at Wells Theological College.

Sporting career

Bateman-Champain played 2 first-class matches for Gloucestershire in 1899, with his debut for the county coming against Lancashire and his second and final first-class match for the county coming against Nottinghamshire.[5] Additionally, he also represented the Free Foresters in a 3 first-class matches, firstly in 1919 against Cambridge University and Oxford University and finally against Oxford University in 1920.

Ecclesiastical career

Upon graduating theological college, Bateman-Champain became assistant curate at St Mary's Church, Henbury before embarking overseas to become vicar of Germiston, South Africa. In 1912, he returned to St Mary's Church, Redcliffe as Vicar. During the Great War he was interviewed for a commission with the Army Chaplains’ Department, and was described as an ‘attractive personality A1’. He was sent to the Western Front and, from 1918, served at General Head Quarters.[6]In 1928, he became Rural Dean of Bedminster before a ten-year stint as Vicar of the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Provost of the Cathedral. His final appointment was as Bishop suffragan of Knaresborough[7] — a post he held until retirement to his native city in 1948. He was consecrated a bishop on St Matthias' day (24 February) 1938, by William Temple, Archbishop of York, at York Minster.[8] He had two sons and two daughters. One son was killed on active service in 1943.[9]

Family and later life

Bateman-Champain was part of a large cricketing family. His brothers Claude, Francis and Hugh all played first-class cricket, as did his brother-in-law Frederick Currie. His uncles Fendall Currie, Revd Sir Frederick Currie, Robert Currie and William Currie also played first-class cricket. During his time at Redcliffe (c. 1912–1914), he married Jean Monsell Maud. Bateman-Champain died at Westbury-on-Trym, Gloucestershire on 22 October 1950.

References

1. John Bateman-Champain at Cricinfo
2. “Who was Who” 1897–1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 0-7136-3457-X
3. "Bateman-Champain, John Norman (BTMN898JN)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
4. The Times, Monday, 27 May 1907; pg. 7; Issue 38343; col D University Intelligence. Oxford, 25 May
5. First-Class Matches played by John Bateman-Champain
6. Index Card Museum of Army Chaplaincy
7. The Times, Friday, 31 December 1937; pg. 12; Issue 47880; col E New Bishop suffragan of Knaresborough appointed
8. "Two bishops consecrated". Church Times (#3919). 4 March 1938. p. 261. ISSN 0009-658X. Retrieved 21 March 2017 – via UK Press Online archives.
9. The Times obituary,24.10.1950

External links

• John Bateman-Champain at Cricinfo
• John Bateman-Champain at CricketArchive