Name
Arthur Winfield Bates
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17659
Bedfordshire Regiment
'C' Coy., 2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Robert Winfield and Mary Jane (nee DICKENS) BATES of Watford.
His parents married 5 August 1889 at All Saints, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Robert died 1936 in Watford aged 66, and was buried 20 April in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Mary died 1953 in Watford aged 87, and was buried 4 February, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Arthur was born 5 February 1894 in Watford, and baptised 25 April 1894 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He attended first Callowland Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 1 January 1901 to 11 October 1901, when he transferred to Alexandra School, Watford, from 21 October 1901 to 21 February 1908. He resided in Watford, and was employed by Paget Prize Plate Co.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents [his father was recorded as Richard] and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, an assistant in photo works aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and eight siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 22 June 1915, and was killed in action. As part of the Battle of Loos, the Battalion was to attack at Vermelles and Cit-St-Elie on 25 September 1915. The Battalion moved across and over the first line German trench, practically without casualties. As soon as it began to advance across the open behind the German front line, it came under very heavy rifle fire, from which the Battalion suffered severely.
He had originally been reported missing, but by 13th May 1916 was reported as killed.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Arthur’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
