Anyone know when the British Army gave up using a "Batman" as an Officers servant? Where does the word "Batman" originate?
Top question! One online etymological dictionary: http://www.allwords.com/word-batman.html links it to "18c: from French bât pack-saddle." but i'm sure there'll be other suggestions.
According to the OED online, "A man in charge of a bat-horse and its load; a military servant of a cavalry officer. Now generally, an officer's servant." Bat-horse or Bat-mule is the animal that carries the Officer's bat or pack.
"Bat" became an English 18th century word for luggage, derived from the French as Von Poop says above. This led to the derivations that Plant-pilot lists, and so to "Batman". I know this because I asked the same question on the Great War Forum not long ago. But I don't know if the British Army still uses it. Adrian
Anyone know when the British Army gave up using a "Batman" as an Officers servant? Where does the word "Batman" originate? Dunno, Ask Adam West
But I don't know if the British Army still uses it. I would have thought anyone in the army knows what a batman is or was. I'm just not sure if there are any any more. Certainly if there are it would only be for the very traditional regiments and then only for the CO. I certainly haven't met one, although some officers of 'General' rank do have a 'House Sgt'. He's more of a cross between a Home PA and event organizer who makes sure all the official entertainment is organized correctly and runs the official side of the Gerneral's home life. Hardly a 'Batman' though.
One of the chaps I was in the TA (late 80s) with was ex-Grenadier Guards. He was an Officers Servent in the 1970s early 80s. In other words a batman.
One of the chaps I was in the TA (late 80s) with was ex-Grenadier Guards. He was an Officers Servent in the 1970s early 80s. In other words a batman. Like I say, some of the more 'traditional' regiments may be different, but even the early 80s is over 20 years ago. Units don't have the spare manpower nowadays to have the number of men on 'Black Economy' posts that they used to.
As i understand it in the household Cavalry they just kind of allocate the duties to some luckless corporal or whoever can't get away when the sergeant decides. So the Batman is still in existence in the older regiments for officers who need help with ceremonial rig, but other than that the days of the traditional batman who basically took care of the Rupert and made sure he didn't kill himself whilst shaving are gone.
I think you will find that the higher up the Officer ranks( possibly Brigader and above) you go you will find that there is always a runner/bag carrier attached to that Officer especially if he does a lot of visiting units. He will know and arrange the Officer's programme and know how to make his tea the way he likes it and see to his other needs. A good way for a junior Officer to get early promotion and gongs! Besides the Commanding Officer of a ship always has his dedicated steward or 'Tiger' to see that things are done properly in the correct way of the service.
I think you will find that the higher up the Officer ranks( possibly Brigader and above) you go you will find that there is always a runner/bag carrier attached to that Officer especially if he does a lot of visiting units. He will know and arrange the Officer's programme and know how to make his tea the way he likes it and see to his other needs. A good way for a junior Officer to get early promotion and gongs! Besides the Commanding Officer of a ship always has his dedicated steward or 'Tiger' to see that things are done properly in the correct way of the service. I think what you are describing is an Officers Aide as opposed to a batman.
I think you will find that the higher up the Officer ranks( possibly Brigader and above) you go you will find that there is always a runner/bag carrier attached to that Officer especially if he does a lot of visiting units. He will know and arrange the Officer's programme and know how to make his tea the way he likes it and see to his other needs. A good way for a junior Officer to get early promotion and gongs! Besides the Commanding Officer of a ship always has his dedicated steward or 'Tiger' to see that things are done properly in the correct way of the service. It does sound like you are discribing an ADC or Aid De Camp, and he doesn't quite carry the bags and make the tea as make sure someone else does it. It's also not really a 'junior' officer's job, as an ADC has to know the system, know a few tricks and is normally a Captain. As for "a good way for a junior Officer to get early promotion and gongs!", a captain would already have a tour or two under his belt and would much rather do a tour as an officer in command of troops than as a senior officer's PA. And what 'gongs' is an ADC likely to get that other officers on the same tour aren't? At least in the British Army 'gongs' aren't handed out for just being liked by senior officers..... you have to do the tours.
My late father once mentioned having to be a Batman to an officer. He never mentioned when and where, but I feel it must have been just after hostilities ceased. He added that he received a newspaper for the officer and happend (as you do) to see the officers name as being honoured by the King. Upon waking the said officer with a cup of tea and his newspaper my father pointed out that he was mentioned in the newspaper. The officer did not believe my fathers comments, thinking he was having a joke and was not amused in the least. After being shown the entry all was smiles and congratulations were in order. I find it amusing as I can never picture my father being a Batman. Regards Tom
Are there any books around that were written by or about an Officers Batman.Since finding out my Grandfather was one, I'm interested in finding out about their role,on and off the Battlefield. Dave
Dave Likewise. My Dad had Batman/Driver on his service records and he never told my Family a thing about this. We found out from someone else he drove a jeep. Funny thing was he never drove in civvy street. Rob
Gentleman Seek no more............. Go to: BBC - WW2 People's War - Search Results There you will find links to 365 stories about batmen, one for every day of this year Enjoy ! Ron
Sorry. Could not help myself. The job title of Batman always makes me think of the theme tune. YouTube - Old Batman TV Show Theme Song
Further to my response above, I was reminded of the scurry for new "jobs" within our unit when the war finished in 1945. "Busty" Thomas, my old tank commander, wanted to "do right" by his old crew and, warning both Hewie & myself that the Regiment would probably be returning to peacetime formation with lots of spit & polish (I think he probably used another expression !) started to look for jobs that would spare us the less attractive side of peacetime soldiering. Amongst the jobs he had on offer was that of being his personal batman. Fortunately for me, one of the alternatives was becoming a Tech Storeman and so, having opted for that post, I was trained and before leaving the unit to go home in 1947 I had risen to the giddy ranks of Tech Corporal and was in complete charge of "A" Squadron's vehicle supplies. If you look at this link: Officers Servants - Great War Forum it shows the distinction between Officers "servants" & Warrant Officer's "batmen"
