P.O Robert Bateson
Pelan McAteer RN
Service No. D/MX 48386

Born 7 January, 1912, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Died 6 December, 1940, Mediterranean Sea near Italy.

Robert was born a twin son to Thomas and Agnes McAteer of Belfast, Ireland. His ancestors were coach builders in Belfast. In September 1939 he married Joyce Topley, of Atkinson Road, Portadown, a few days before having to go to sea. It is believed that his submarine hit a mine in the Adriatic Sea whilst on patrol off Taranto. She was lost on 6 December, 1940 with her entire crew.




At the time of his death Robert was a ship's cook on board the submarine HMS Regulus.

Robert is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial
which lists 23,219 casualties from the First and Second World Wars.