Name
Archibald Claude Bates
4 September 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/10/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Northamptonshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
M C
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
VII. D. 48.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, Marlowes Baptist Church, Marlowes
Pre War
Archibald Claude Bates was born in Hemel Hempstead on 4 September 1894, the son of Harry and Susan Bates. Sadly his mother died and on the 1901 census he was aged 6 and living with his widowed father and brothers Harry and Percival in St John's Road, Hemel Hempstead.
His father remarried in 1902 to Harriet Dyer and on the 1911 Census he was living with his family at Lyndhurst, Bennetts End Lane, Hemel Hempstead. His father was a paper packer and Archibald was working as a, envelope printing hand.
He married Phyllis Gurney in the summer of 1917 in Hemel Hempstead.
Wartime Service
At the start of the war, Archibald initially enlisted into the Coldstream Guards as a Lance Corporal, service. no. 10983, and served in France from 26 November 1914. He rose from the ranks to become 2nd Lieutenant in the Northamptonshire Regiment in March 1916.
He displayed his courage while in action with his 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Battalion Regiment at Regina Trench on the Somme, 25 - 29 October 1916. Just a month before, he had also been involved in severe fighting in taking the Thiepval Ridge.
He was awarded a Military Cross (reported in London Gazette 9 January 1917) "for conspicuous gallantry in action. Although several times buried by shells, he remained at duty, and showed a fine example of courage and coolness to his men in very difficult circumstances. He has previously done fine work."
Following his bravery on the Somme he was transferred to the Middlesex Regiment as acting Adjutant but became ill shortly before receiving full rank. When he recovered he went back to his old battalion and was mortally wounded at Poelcapelle during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He died from his wounds in a Casualty Clearing Station on 20 October 1917. He is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £38 and pay owing of £15 0s 5d. His brothers Percy and Harry also served but survived the war. His step brother George Dyer served in 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment and was killed in action on 14 October 1916.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.roll-of-honour.com
