Batmen
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Batmen
My father was a Flight Lieutenant flying in V bombers in the late fifties. He was married and we lived in married quarters which provided a house and garden. He had a batman who was a sergeant and all I remember of him was that he dug up part of the garden for vegetables.
I know very little about batmen, their selection and function and would be interested to know more.
I know very little about batmen, their selection and function and would be interested to know more.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
For married officers lucky enough to be in quarters there was an allocation. Flt Lt had one between 6, Sqn Ldr 1 between 4.
Their duties were supposed to be shoe cleaning, laundry and pressing of the officer's uniforms. Mrs Flt Lt OTOH used to have the batman clean the grate, clean the house and generally do the servant bit. 1 in 6 meant around one hour of chores per quarter per day.
Many batmen were national service time servers.
In mess there was supposed to be a similar allocation but often it was nearer 1 in 12. There they had the shoe cleaning, early morning cuppa, uniform and civie pressing, prepare and receive laundry, cleaning the room and making and changing the bedding. A good batty was worth their weight in gold and used to earn tips from all their young gentlemen.
Initially they were national service but when that ended they were usually civilians. At Lindholme and Finningley, and again at Cottesmore, they were all ex-miners. Aside from batting a well organised batty would spend much of the day in his batman's room drinking tea with his mates. He could be persuaded to provide a cuppa later on.
In Cyprus we again had a similar batting service.
From the 70s batting as such began to die out although cleaners as they became could still be persuaded to do your ironing. At Wittering, as I no longer had a batman I ended up actually with 2 ladies who did the laundry and a man who did other things. I was on the road much of the time so he would collect yesterday's Times each morning and put a copy in my room.
I used to get back, empty my suitcase in to the laundry bin, pack my suitcase with clean laundry and then repeat the process the following week.
While batting in quarters is a thing of the past for most officers room cleaning remains as a duty in messes. Most messes now provide tea making facilities instead of the early morning call.
One of mine, a civilian ex-naval rating, used to read the orders and remind me of the dress code for the day.
Their duties were supposed to be shoe cleaning, laundry and pressing of the officer's uniforms. Mrs Flt Lt OTOH used to have the batman clean the grate, clean the house and generally do the servant bit. 1 in 6 meant around one hour of chores per quarter per day.
Many batmen were national service time servers.
In mess there was supposed to be a similar allocation but often it was nearer 1 in 12. There they had the shoe cleaning, early morning cuppa, uniform and civie pressing, prepare and receive laundry, cleaning the room and making and changing the bedding. A good batty was worth their weight in gold and used to earn tips from all their young gentlemen.
Initially they were national service but when that ended they were usually civilians. At Lindholme and Finningley, and again at Cottesmore, they were all ex-miners. Aside from batting a well organised batty would spend much of the day in his batman's room drinking tea with his mates. He could be persuaded to provide a cuppa later on.
In Cyprus we again had a similar batting service.
From the 70s batting as such began to die out although cleaners as they became could still be persuaded to do your ironing. At Wittering, as I no longer had a batman I ended up actually with 2 ladies who did the laundry and a man who did other things. I was on the road much of the time so he would collect yesterday's Times each morning and put a copy in my room.
I used to get back, empty my suitcase in to the laundry bin, pack my suitcase with clean laundry and then repeat the process the following week.
While batting in quarters is a thing of the past for most officers room cleaning remains as a duty in messes. Most messes now provide tea making facilities instead of the early morning call.
One of mine, a civilian ex-naval rating, used to read the orders and remind me of the dress code for the day.
IIRC, 'Batmen' were officially downgraded to 'Mess Servants' in 1969 or thereabouts?
Although we still called them 'batties', but their role was gradually dumbed down by the beancounters over the years and had virtually disappeared by about 1988.
I think that Stn Cdrs and above still have a few staff, but very few compared to the 1970s......
Although we still called them 'batties', but their role was gradually dumbed down by the beancounters over the years and had virtually disappeared by about 1988.
I think that Stn Cdrs and above still have a few staff, but very few compared to the 1970s......
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It's a good thing that using servicemen for such chores has ended. I can't think of a more demotivational duty for junior ranks.
I do hope that the reason they were removed is less to do with finances and more to do with realising that the 19th century ended quite some time ago.
In a similar vein, I understand the need for three messes, and officers' patches, and senior ranks being segregated from junior ranks in the OR's patch. But why do the MOD buy different kinds of dining table for the seniors' and officers' messes? Why does an officer's MQ get a different furniture scale from a SNCO/WO? Lots of money to be saved there, and be seen to be a bit more joined up in the thinking department.
I do hope that the reason they were removed is less to do with finances and more to do with realising that the 19th century ended quite some time ago.
In a similar vein, I understand the need for three messes, and officers' patches, and senior ranks being segregated from junior ranks in the OR's patch. But why do the MOD buy different kinds of dining table for the seniors' and officers' messes? Why does an officer's MQ get a different furniture scale from a SNCO/WO? Lots of money to be saved there, and be seen to be a bit more joined up in the thinking department.
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But why do the MOD buy different kinds of dining table for the seniors' and officers' messes?
The Officers are served Rib eye which is very well marbled and flavourful, the rib section is about the tastiest of all the steaks, and is tender and succulent enough for a quick treatment on the grill.
The SNCO's are served Sirloin which are less tender and cheaper than the rib eye, but sirloin steaks are very tasty.
The oiks are served Round. The round section is the hind leg of the cow, and although some of these can be very flavourful, all are less tender than even the sirloin.
So you see each steak deserves a different dining table in order to do it justice. Hope that answers your question.
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I do hope that the reason they were removed is less to do with finances and more to do with realising that the 19th century ended quite some time ago.
However, although I was entitled to a batting service, albeit in its latter days, I must admit to having some difficulty recalling what type of aircraft the RAF (or any other air force) flew in the 19th century.....
Hardly 'demotivational', really. There was once a 'dignity of service' in the UK and it was an absolute requirement to ensure that any so-called 'servant' was well looked-after. He was also given a tip at the end of each month and probably had a much easier existence than many of his contemporaries.
But with the erosion of the class structure and the advent of the me, me, me structure, such niceties are now a thing of the past.
Anyone wishing to have a well-paid job merely needs to pass a butler's course, learn to speak impeccable English and offer to become a butler to add a touch of class to some nouveau-riche Yank's household.
Whilst the class system was certainly open to abuse and misunderstanding, those who understood it properly (whether 'master' or 'servant') realised that it had much to commend it. It was really quite civilised, actually.
'Servants' were never 'slaves'!
But with the erosion of the class structure and the advent of the me, me, me structure, such niceties are now a thing of the past.
Anyone wishing to have a well-paid job merely needs to pass a butler's course, learn to speak impeccable English and offer to become a butler to add a touch of class to some nouveau-riche Yank's household.
Whilst the class system was certainly open to abuse and misunderstanding, those who understood it properly (whether 'master' or 'servant') realised that it had much to commend it. It was really quite civilised, actually.
'Servants' were never 'slaves'!
Skycop, I share your annoyance about being in the wrong end of the Mess! And as for 'servants never slaves' quite right; one only has to dip a toe into PG Wodehouse to realise that a 'gentleman's gentleman' was frequently the sharper of the 2 in the relationship, and almost indispensable in terms of extracating one from the brown and smelly.
At my current place, we have a limited sort of batting service in that you are entitled to have uniform / suit etc prepared for the following day, which is rather handy.
Aside from that, the only time I have ever been woken with a cup of tea in the traditional 'Batman' sense was when I had to go to Fylingdales about 10 years ago. They explained to me that unless I had an old mechanical alarm clock, any UK electrical clock plugged into the mains would run fast because of issues with the power supply. So to avoid the entire Mess either being up at 4am if they used a clock or 10am if they didn't, they had to send someone round to make sure everyone was up. Don't know if they still do it though, but rather civilized though.
At my current place, we have a limited sort of batting service in that you are entitled to have uniform / suit etc prepared for the following day, which is rather handy.
Aside from that, the only time I have ever been woken with a cup of tea in the traditional 'Batman' sense was when I had to go to Fylingdales about 10 years ago. They explained to me that unless I had an old mechanical alarm clock, any UK electrical clock plugged into the mains would run fast because of issues with the power supply. So to avoid the entire Mess either being up at 4am if they used a clock or 10am if they didn't, they had to send someone round to make sure everyone was up. Don't know if they still do it though, but rather civilized though.
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I can remember batties in Messes when I lived-in during the late 70s and early 80s (there were goblin teasmaids at Linton, Finningley and Marham apparently (cough)) at that time). I think the batties were replaced with kettles in the rooms at some point in the early 80s. Not sure when service personnel stopped being batties, in my time they were all civvies. Like the OP, my father was a flt lt V force chap and we lived in quarters but I dont remember us having a batty - this was in the mid 60s. We did have a local lady looking after our hiring in Limassol in the late 60s and I think she was employed by the station (Akrotiri) and not by my parents.
And now I am married so I have someone to Wash, Iron, F*** Etc (thank God she doesnt read Prune or I would be a dead man).
And now I am married so I have someone to Wash, Iron, F*** Etc (thank God she doesnt read Prune or I would be a dead man).
spectre150, are those personal services listed in the order of your personal preference?
Romance dies when muffled moans and sweet terms of endearment are replaced by "Did...you...know...the...cei...ling...needs...paint...i ng?" Or, even worse, "Finished yet, dear?".....
OK, OK - it is Friday and I'm killing time in the Lufthansa Senator Lounge at Köln. The nice people have just opened another bottle which went 'pop', so toodle-oo!
Romance dies when muffled moans and sweet terms of endearment are replaced by "Did...you...know...the...cei...ling...needs...paint...i ng?" Or, even worse, "Finished yet, dear?".....
OK, OK - it is Friday and I'm killing time in the Lufthansa Senator Lounge at Köln. The nice people have just opened another bottle which went 'pop', so toodle-oo!
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However, although I was entitled to a batting service, albeit in its latter days, I must admit to having some difficulty recalling what type of aircraft the RAF (or any other air force) flew in the 19th century.....
However, it's now 2011, and the young people joining today have an expectation of being treated fairly, as BEagle says. Duties such as waiting on and mess duties are demeaning to those who studied hard and hold down some very technically demanding jobs in the Services.
"Congratulations on completing your 18 months of trade training, you are now qualified to work on multi million pound equipment that people's lives depend on. Here's a promotion, and a pay rise. By the way, you're waiting on in the mess tonight. Enjoy".
And now I am married so I have someone to Wash, Iron, F*** Etc (thank God she doesnt read Prune or I would be a dead man).
On the other hand, if you are fortunate enough not to spend most of your time in the doghouse, that you taken the washing and ironing duties off your good lady's hands means there is more time for the f........
Roadster280, the work of a 'battie' wasn't something forced upon a particular individual, it was a specific trade.
Whereas the Army and, in particular, the Royal Navy have strong traditions, the RAF (like the USA) hasn't been in existence long enough to have developed anything more than 'nasty little habits'....
When one of HM's little grey floaty things moors up for a cockers P, the ship's company, I understand, thoroughly enjoy the experience whether Captain or the most junior sailor on board.
(Apologies if I haven't used correct Jackspeak terminology).
Whereas the Army and, in particular, the Royal Navy have strong traditions, the RAF (like the USA) hasn't been in existence long enough to have developed anything more than 'nasty little habits'....
When one of HM's little grey floaty things moors up for a cockers P, the ship's company, I understand, thoroughly enjoy the experience whether Captain or the most junior sailor on board.
(Apologies if I haven't used correct Jackspeak terminology).
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The morning "wake up service" from the batting ladies.
The door of my room in the mess used to be flung open, a cup of tea was slapped down on my bedside table. The required surly "Morning Sir" wake up words were said and the door was closed again very loudly.
However, the occupant of the adjacent room down the corridor got an obviously different service. His door was very quietly opened and then closed immediately and almost silently, but I heard it. It was often a good few minutes before it was then opened again, more loudly, a cup of tea rattled about, and the door banged shut again.
He later married her.
(Surprising really, as he also went onto Jaguars.
)
The door of my room in the mess used to be flung open, a cup of tea was slapped down on my bedside table. The required surly "Morning Sir" wake up words were said and the door was closed again very loudly.
However, the occupant of the adjacent room down the corridor got an obviously different service. His door was very quietly opened and then closed immediately and almost silently, but I heard it. It was often a good few minutes before it was then opened again, more loudly, a cup of tea rattled about, and the door banged shut again.
He later married her.
(Surprising really, as he also went onto Jaguars.
)
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Roadster280, you misunderstand. If you are required to live in a hotel for which you are paying quite heavily, would you forgo room service, for which you have also paid, because it belongs in the 19th century? It's the same sort of thing.
We did not have the option to live elsewhere.
As Beagle said, the mess staff did the work for a living, not as an additional duty.
We did not have the option to live elsewhere.
As Beagle said, the mess staff did the work for a living, not as an additional duty.