Name
George Bates (MM)
1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/10/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Serjeant
20982
Border Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 85 to 86.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
George was born in 1890 in Hitchin his parents were Frederick Charles and Sophia Bates (née French), who married in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin on 6 March 1886.
In 1901 the family were living at 53 Sunnyside, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Frederick (37) and Sophia (39), with Frederick and working as a bricklayer’s labourer and Sophia as a straw plaiter. Their children were: Alice (16), Frederick George (12), George (9), Annie (7), Arthur (5), Betsy (3) and Lily at two months.
In 1911 the family were still living at 53 Sunnyside. Present were both parents, Frederick still a labourer in the brick trade. The census recorded they had been married for 25 years with 10 children, all living. Of the above children the only ones still present were George Bates – no occupation recorded, Betsy and Lily, but they had two new brothers John (10) and Bertie (7).
George enlisted in September 1914 and later married Margaret Gilbert on the Registry Office in Kettering on 25 October 1915, when he was Private 18422 in the 3rd Bedfordshire Regiment.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin and was living there when he enlisted in Landguard, Essex.
Wartime Service
He attested on 5 September 1914 as Private 18422, Bedfordshire Regiment. He was 23 years and 6 months old and working as a labourer and was posted to the 3rd Battalion on the 9th. He was 5’ 7 ½” tall, weighed 150 lbs with a chest of 38” when fully expanded. He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.
He was in Languard when he was punished of ‘overstaying his pass from 9pm till 6:30pm on 12th (1 day 21 ½ hours)’ – beginning on the 10 April 1915. He received 7 days confined to camp (CC) and forfeited 3-days pay.
After training he was posted to the 1st Battalion 12 May 1015 which is when he arrived in France. His service record indicates that he received a gunshot would to his left shoulder on 13 June 1915 and was admitted into No. 3 General Hospital the following day. He received treatment but was returned to England on the Hospital Ship Anglia on 2 July 1915, on the same being transferred to the Depot in the UK.
On the 25 October 1915 he married Margaret Gilbert and just two days later was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshires.
He transferred to the Border Regiment on 9 November 1915, when we presume he received the new service number of 20982, and then returned to France landing on 1 January 1916 and was immediately transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment.
He was promoted to Acting Corporal 2 April 1017, to Corporal the same day, and then Lance Sergeant 6 October 1917.
George was posted as missing 26 October 1917 and later as died on or since that date. He was awarded the Military Medal, posthumously, and was announced in the Londi Gazette on 25 January 1918. His wife received it on 10 November 1918 at 3 Bath Terrace, Lawson Street, Kettering but a previous address was Clandon, Headlands, Kettering, She later received his British War and Victoria Medals on 3 January 1922.
On the 28th October 1919 his widow’s statement of living relatives was witnessed by the Vicar of the Daubhill Parish Church. At that time she was living at 11 Fearnhead Street, Daubhill, Bolton, Lancs. and was childless. She listed George’s parents as living at 53 Sunnyside, Hitchin; his brothers as Frederick (30), Arthur (24), John (18) and Bert (16), and his sisters as Emma (27), Daisy (35), Annie (26), Betsy (22) and Lily (20).
Additional Information
After his death £8 18s 8d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow on 31 August 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £15 was authorised to be paid to her on 19 November 1919.
His pension cards record Margaret Bates as his widow and as his next of kin, living at 3 Bath Terrace, Lawson Street, Kettering, Northants. It also records that he was initially recorded as missing. She was first awarded a £5 grant on 6 September 1918 and then a pension of 15s a week from 24 June 1919. A letter to this effect was sent on 7 June 1918.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
