John Norman Bateman-Champain

John Norman Bateman-Champain was a first class cricketer [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/9598.html He made 5 appearances for Gloucestershire] ] who in later life was the third Bishop of Knaresborough [for the decade 1938 to 1988] . Born on 14 March 1880 into a military family [His father was a Colonel in the Indian Army] he was educated at Cheltenham College [“Who was Who” 1897-1990 London, A & C Black, 1991 ISBN 071363457X] and Caius College, Cambridge [The Times, Monday, May 27, 1907; pg. 7; Issue 38343; col D University Intelligence. Oxford, May 25] . After studying for ordination at "Wells Theological College" he became Curate at St Mary's Church, Henbury before embarking overseas to become Vicar of Germiston, South Africa. Returning to St Mary's Church,Redcliffe as Vicar in 1912 [In which year he married Jean Monsell Maud] he was additionally to serve as a war-time chaplain in France [at GHQ] and later become an honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral. In 1928 he became Rural Dean of Bedminster before a ten year stint as Vicar of the Cathedral Church [and Provost of the Cathedral] of St Nicholas Newcastle upon Tyne. His final appointment was as Suffragan Bishop of Knaresborough [The Times, Friday, Dec 31, 1937; pg. 12; Issue 47880; col E New Bishop Suffragan Of Knaresborough appointed] , a post he held until retirement to his native city in 1948. He died four years later on 22 October 1950.

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