BATTEN, Clive Passed November 2020

Clive was at the school from 1952-1954 and will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

We are conscious that many people from this time at school may not be in contact with us and we would be very grateful if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for him in the next OI Journal and would be very grateful if anyone felt they could come forward to write one. Alternatively, if you know of any stories or memories, please pass them on so we could put them together for the publication. Address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school or in the comments below.

With best wishes

Iain Chesterman
OI Chairman

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Alan Wyatt (OI 1944-53) writes:

Clive was born on 27th July 1934 in Colon Panama South America. His parents were Winifred and Gilbert Batten and his father worked in the petroleum industry. He had three older brothers two of whom were killed in Spitfires during the Second World War within two weeks of each other, both aged in their 20’s. His surviving brother lived a long and happy life into his 90’s.

The family moved to Salinas in Ecuador and, at the age of 3, Clive attended his first school in Guayaquil and then went to a boarding School in Quito until he was 16 when he came to England and attended as a Boarder at the School. He joined School House and spent his holidays with his much-loved Aunt and Uncle since his parents were still living in South America. He was at the School from 1951 to 1953 and became a House Prefect. He played for the School 2nd Rugby XV as full back and obtained House and 2nd XV colours. He was described in a Characters’ list of 2nd XV players in the School Magazine for December 1953 as “a very strong heavy player who can run hard and handle the ball well. “During his time at School, he made lifelong friends and met his beloved future wife, Judy (Bell).

In 1953, he began his National Service with the Royal Corps of Signals at Catterick. After basic training, he moved to Woodhouse Eves to train as a Special Operator. This entailed learning both to send and receive Morse code at very high speeds. The work was highly sensitive and after completing the training, he was sent to Germany where he remained until his period of service ended in 1955. He joined Olivetti selling typewriters and married Judy on 14th June 1958 at All Saints Church Ipswich. They moved together to London and their daughter Debs was born in Romford in 1962, followed by Trish in Ipswich in 1965. He had, by then, moved to SR Batson as a Sales Rep until 1972 when he joined his old school friend Trevor Woods at T. A. Woods (Steel Radiators) Limited. He then became an area sales manager for Acton and Borman, retiring in 1999. He was not one to sit still and he worked part time delivering office equipment. He also became an examination invigilator at Kesgrave High School.

He was greatly motivated by sport throughout his life, and he played basketball, rugby, tennis, and badminton. Golf became a passion in later life, and he was a founder member of Waldringfield Golf Club and was appointed Captain. He subsequently joined Rushmere and Seckford where he played until shortly before his final illness. In the 1970s, he was also heavily involved with Ipswich Swimming Club as an official timekeeper and where Judy coached the juniors, including both their daughters. He was also dedicated to Ipswich Town Football Club and was a devoted supporter from the 1950s, attending matches whatever the weather and whatever their position in the league. Presumably as a result of the sad fate of his brothers, he loved planes, especially Spitfires and he was a member of the Martlesham Aviation Society. He flew in a Tiger Moth on his seventieth birthday.

Clive loved being a family man and was utterly devoted to Judy and his two daughters as well as being a fantastic grandfather to his four grandchildren. He was a loyal and constant friend and kept in touch on a regular basis with his contemporaries from the School, Tubby Barker, Geoffrey Bell Jones, Karl Daniels, Trevor Woods, and Alan Wyatt. In later life, he was re-united with Ramon, a very special friend from his school days in South America. He was renowned for his kindness, loyalty, humour, and zest for life. His family and friends are all privileged to have been part of his life and he will never be forgotten.