It was during this time that he met two pilots in London with whom he collaborated in writing two of his early works as a writer: Spitfires over Malta (1943) and First into Italy (1944).
[1] After his journalistic career Bateson pursued his interest in writing particularly in the maritime history of Australia and the Pacific.
[1][6][7] Shortly after arriving in Australia, Bateson met and married journalist Coy Catherine Foster-Lynam on 27 August 1923 at St Peter's Anglican Church East Sydney.
[1] Bateson pursued his interests in military, naval and maritime history throughout his life particularly in retirement and was a member of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
Bateson died of coronary vascular disease at Vaucluse in Sydney on 5 July 1974, survived by his second wife Ann and daughter Louise of his first marriage.