Name
Walter Thomas Gates
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/07/1916
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/2204
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
A. 28. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
SLEEP ON DEAR SON AND REST THEY MISS YOU MOST WHO LOVED YOU BEST
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Walter Thomas Gates was born 1889 in Aston Clinton, Bucks to Frederick Gates, a grocer and hay& straw binder, and Emma (nee Casemore).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Frederick E (born 1885), Walter T and Frank J (born 1891) were living at grocer’s shop, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Bucks.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Frederick E, Walter T, Frank J and Arthur (born 1894) had moved to 12 Akeman Street, Tring.
On the 1911 Census the family were living at 12, Akeman Street, Tring: Walter was a Baker, Frank was a Draper’s assistant. Arthur was hairdresser’s assistant and Herbert James (born 1896) was a grocer’s apprentice.
His father and mother later lived at 27, High St., Tring, Herts.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Walter. He enlisted in the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) as Private G/2204 and at some time he was posted to the 7th (Service) Battalion. This Battalion was a component of 55 Brigade, 18 (Eastern) Division and Walter went to France with his Unit on 28 Jul 1915. Their first major engagement was the Battle of Albert (1-13 Jul 1916) as part of the opening actions of the overall Battle of the Somme which continued until 1916. Walter was wounded during the Battle of Albert and died on 12 Jul 1916.
From the Bucks Herald 15th July 1916: “TRING MAN WOUNDED. – On Wednesday in last week Mr. and Mrs. Gates (High-street) received a telegram informing them that their son, Drummer T. Walter Gates, East Kent (Buffs) Regiment, was wounded on July 1st. Later a kind and sympathetic letter came from the Matron at the Base Hospital saying that Drummer gates was severely wounded, and she could hold out little hopes of his recovery. On Sunday morning his parents were greatly cheered by the receipt of a letter from the Chaplain, who said he saw their son on the 5th. He had been wounded in the arm by a shell, so was unable to write, but was cheerful and doing as well as could be expected. His brother went over to France at the beginning of the week, and found Drummer Gates getting on well and quite cheerful, though he had lost his left arm and three fingers off his right hand, and had been badly wounded in the side and the back of the neck. Walter Gates, who before enlistment worked for Mr. Waldock, is well-known in the town, and greatly liked for his courteous and cheerful bearing.”
Additional Information
Brother Frank served as Rifleman 371624 8th Battalion (post Office Rifles) London Regiment, died of wounds 26 Jul 1918. Brother Herbert served as Lance Corporal 266022 in 2/4 Battalion Ox & Bucks Light Infantry and was killed in action on 2 Nov 1918. War Gratuity of £8 10s and arrears of £8 2s 5d was paid to his mother Emma.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
