Name
William Gates
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/11/1916
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
23055
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
KNEBWORTH (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None [private grave]
UK & Other Memorials
Knebworth Village Memorial, Knebworth (Old), St Martin's Church Memorial, Knebworth (New), St Martin's Church Framed Memorial Knebworth (New), The British Legion -Knebworth & District Branch ROH, St Martin Church, Knebworth (New), St Mary & St Thomas Church Memorial, Knebworth Park, Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Alban, There is no specific Knebworth Park memorial
Pre War
William Gates was born in 1885 in Bardney, Lincolnshire, the son of James & Sarah Ann Gates (nee Hunt), and one of eight children. His birth was registered as William James B Hunt as his parents did not marry until 1887.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Rabley Heath, Codicote where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. By 1911 they had moved to Hoggs Norton, Knebworth at which time William was working as a labourer at a brick works.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving with the 4th Battalion in France.
William was wounded in action, probably during the Battle of the Ancre on 13 - 18 November 1916, when the Battalion suffered very high casualties during an assault on German positions. He was repatriated to England for treatment but died from his wounds on 26 November 1916 at the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £3 10s and pay owing of £2 12s 5d. His mother received a pension of 6s 6d a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson
