Name
Arthur George Bates
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
08/06/1940
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
1531836
Royal Artillery
43 Bty., 101 Lt. A.A./Anti-Tank Regt.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. VALERY-EN-CAUX FRANCO-BRITISH CEMETERY
Spec. Memorial. C, 29.
France
Headstone Inscription
TO THE VERY DEAR MEMORY OF MY SON. A LOVED BROTHER. MOTHER AND FAMILY
UK & Other Memorials
St. Mark’s Church Memorial, Hitchin
Biography
He was born and resident in Hertfordshire. His Service Number was 1531836 and, at the time of his death, he was serving in 43 Battery of the 101st Light Anti-Aircraft & Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery which went to France via Le Havre. He was almost certainly killed when part of what was left of the British Expeditionary Force after Dunkirk converged on St. Valery en Caux not far from Dieppe. The main unit which was still a fighting force was the 5 1st Highland Division, but the collapse of the French resulted in the Germans being able to get behind the British and reach the sea at St. Valery en Caux. Fighting continued for several days, and a few men were evacuated by the Navy, but the remainder not killed were taken prisoner. On the 11th June fog had prevented the Navy from evacuating more units.
Nominally the 101st was part of the 1st Armoured Division. The 43rd Battery was formed from the 11th L.A.A. (Finsbury Rifles) Regiment. It seems to have been equipped with 20 x 2 pounder guns and 96 Lewis guns against air attack. The 101st Light A.A. & Anti-Tank Regiment had been operating under the command of the 51st Division but were usually some distance away, being part of No. l Support Group which had arrived in France in May and June 1940. By the 25th May a British Group consisting of the 51st Division and the 1st Armoured Division was formed to fight between Abbeville and St. Valery sur Somme. By the 1st June the 1st Armoured Division including 101 A/T and L.A.A. was in front of Abbeville facing the Germans. The 51st Division moved to St. Valery en Caux in the night of the 11th /12th June in preparation for embarkation. They fought their way to the coast and their last action was on the 12th June. The ships never came, partly due to fog and partly that the Germans were shelling from the cliffs. At 10.30hrs on the 12th June they were instructed to surrender by their own Command. By this time they had four guns, and 300 men of all ranks left.
He was buried in Row C Grave 29 in the St. Valery en Caux Franco British Cemetery in France and his headstone is marked "Near this spot". He was buried in a communal grave with several of his comrades.
His next of kin were shown as James and Ada Warman of Mattocke Road, Hitchin.
Additional Information
*1 According to the CWGC Arthur died Between 08 June 1940 and 08 November 1940
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Mrs Daphne E. Webb, Mr Roy Bottoms.
‘1940. The Last Act’ by B. Karslake, ‘History of the RA. - Years of Defeat 1939-41’ by M. Farndale, ‘The War in France & Flanders 1939-40’ by L.F. Ellis
