Name
Arthur James Gates
27/09/1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/06/1915
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3413
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st/1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
II. A. 5A.
France
Headstone Inscription
"THY WILL BE DONE"
UK & Other Memorials
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey, Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Arthur James Gates was born in Watford, in 1895, son of James Gates (B 1869 in Totternhoe, Beds) and Sarah Gates, (nee Ambridge) (B 1865 in Pinner, Middlesex), the eldest of five children, one of whom died in childhood. His father was a builder’s labourer.
His parents married 29 April 1895 at St Giles’, Totternhoe, Beds. Sarah died 1943 in Oxhey, Herts, aged 78, and was buried 1 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; James died 16 July 1952 in Watford aged 83, and was buried 22 July, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Arthur was Baptised on the 23rd February 1896, in Pinner, Middlesex, his mother’s hometown.
1901 Census records Arthur aged 5, living with his parents, brothers Robert 3 and Ernest 10 months, at 8 Watford Heath, Watford, Herts. (His brother Ernest died in 1907).
In 1911, Arthur was fifteen and was employed as a telegraph messenger, living with his parents, brother Robert 13, sisters Kathleen 8 and Edith 5, at 8 Watford Heath, Watford, Herts.
The British Postal Service Appointment Book, records Arthur as of February 1914 a Postman at Letchworth, Herts.
Wartime Service
Arthur travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlisted in the Hertfordshire Regiment, he was given the Service No. 3413.
His Medal Card records he landed in France on 23rd January 1915 and served on the Western Front.
He was wounded at the Battle of Festubert where the Battalion saw action on the 18th & 19th May 1915, 4 Officers wounded, 91 NCO’S & OR wounded and 17 NCO’S & OR Killed. Arthur being one of the wounded, he was admitted to The 18th General Hospital at Le Treport on 21st May 1915, he died of his wounds on 6 June 1915, aged 19. He was serving with “D” Company at the time.
He is remembered with honour at Etaples Military Cemetery in France and is commemorated on the memorial at St Matthew’s Church, Oxhey and the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial at All Saints Church, Hertford.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs. S. Gates, 8, Watford Heath, Watford, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE". The value of his effects was £7-4s-7d, Pay Owing and £3, War Gratuity which was split equally between his mother and father. His mother, made application [for medals] in respect of her late son Pte Arthur James GATES. she was awarded a dependent pension of 5/- per week. There is a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 12 June 1915; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 10 June 1916 and 7 June 1919. Also see ‘Additional Information’ provided with kind permission of Bushey First World War Commemoration Project – Please visit www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk. He is mentioned in the story of William Sell, which can be found here in the Archive at: Archive - Hertfordshire Men & Women - Individuals Stories - William Sell (MM) - Biography Include others from the Herts Reg.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
