Name
George Henry James Bates
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/09/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
608685
London Regiment *1
18th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RANCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY
Row A, Grave 16.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Watford Post Office Memorial
Pre War
Son of George and Ellen Sophia (nee BATCHELOR) BATES.
His parents married 11 June 1898 at St Mary’s, Watford. Ellen died 1934 in Watford aged 56, and was buried 26 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; George died 1952 in Watford aged 74, and was buried 7 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
George was born 1899 in Watford, and was baptised 9 June 1899 at St Mary’s, Watford. He resided in Watford, and was appointed Assistant Postman Watford September 1915.
On the 1901 Census, aged 2 he lived in Watford, with his parents and no siblings. On the 1911 Census, a part-time errand boy aged 12, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, and was formerly Private 375427 8th Battalion London Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, George’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for George in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 28 September 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 30 August 1919. George is possibly the G H BATES commemorated by the Post Office. Service number appears as 608585 in some records.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment (London Irish Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
