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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 251

'The two or three wounds for which he was admitted to hospital had a weakening effect on his heart. This proved unequal to the strain, and the gallant young fellow succumbed as stated within a few weeks of his 21st birthday, which would have been on the 12th prox.'

(The death of Private J. F. Bates, related in the Middlesex Chronicle, 18 November 1916, refers)

A 'Battle of the Somme Stretcher Bearer' casualty's Victory Medal awarded to Private J. F. Bates, 27th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, who died of wounds received when rescuing the wounded of 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders on 7 November 1916

Victory Medal 1914-1919 (82310 Pte. J. F. Bates. R.A.M.C.), good very fine

John Frank Bates who was born at Chelsea, London in January 1896, the son of Corporal Frank and Eva Bates of 11 St. Dunstan's Road, Feltham. Working as a gardener in the Feltham he was also a major part of the areas Boy Scout movement playing a large role in its establishment. On the outbreak of the Great War Bates was keen to enlist however he suffered a serious accident prior to doing so with affected his eyesight. His father meanwhile had joined the Royal Defence Corps with the rank of Corporal.

It proved a slow recovery and as such Bates was unable to join the Royal Army Medical Corps until 6 December 1915 when he attested at Hounslow. Posted to 'T' Company, R.A.M.C. two days after joining, he did not enter the war in France until 27 July 1916. Arriving at Rouen Bates joined the 27th Field Ambulance attached to the 27th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division.

During the Battle of the Somme the unit saw heavy fighting along with the rest of the Division. They were stationed at Bazentin Le Petit by late October 1916, taking over the front-line aid dressing stations in support of 27th Brigade. A unit headed to the Quarries aid dressing station on 19 October and set up there in support of 8th Seaforth Highlanders.

The next day Bates- who was serving on the post- was seriously wounded with the war diary noting a wound to the right arm and right leg. One other man- Private T. Rooney- was wounded the same day, although less seriously, with a gunshot wound causing a compound fracture in his thigh. Bates was taken to the hospital in serious condition however his wounds proved too much for him and he died on 7 November 1916.

Bates was buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension at Rouen; sold together with copied research comprising Commonwealth War Graves certificate, Soldier's Died in the Great War entry and an article from The Middlesex Chronicle.

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Sold for
£25

Starting price
£20