Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On 14th November 2008, my Grandad Rick sadly passed away at the Pilgrims hospice.

The care that they gave him was outstanding and we are so thankful. I remember the Chaplin came into Grandad’s room and she sang him the most beautiful song. It was a moment I will never forget.

Our Grandad was a funny, charismatic, full of life person who loved his family unconditionally. He loved the simple things in life and never wanted for anything. He had been a soldier in world war two and so appreciated everything. He married my beautiful Nan, Kathy in 1928 and and had three children, Valerie, Susan (my mum) and Tony, five grandchildren, Simone, Sasha, David, myself and Joshua, three great granddaughters Bex, Molly and Tilly. Sadly he never got to meet his great grandson Alfie, whom I was 4 months pregnant with when he died.

On Sunday 14th November 2021, on the 13th anniversary of his death and Remembrance Sunday, my Grandads war story where he was a true hero was shared across the country featuring in the daily mirror on Saturday 13th November amongst regional local news. It even reached American news in Washington. 

There was a local Wimbledon newspaper article from the 1980s. For me this was not enough. I wanted to share his story wide and far.  A true story from World War 2 how my grandad saved a man’s life in Italy carrying him through the trenches with a blown off leg when all his platoon had been killed. 42 years later being the chatterbox he was out shopping in Southfields, London, he and my Nan got talking to a lady, Rose Hyatt who turned out to be the wife of the man he saved, James Hyatt. And they were reunited all those years later. My Grandad was guest of honour at their golden wedding anniversary as if it wasn’t for him Rose and James wouldn’t have made it back to each other after the war and have their 5 children. 

Please read attachment for full article https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/british-soldier-who-saved-dying-22156993.amp

Grandad was a humble man, be fought for his country and he was a hero. We have received £41.25 for his photos being shown in the daily mirror which will start the donations. If anyone who loves this story would like to donate then please do so to the Pilgrims hospice in Grandad Rick’s memory.

Richard James Batterham 1924 - 2008

God bless you all xxxx