Albert Bates was the seventh child of Walter and Elizabeth J Bates (née Emery) and his birth was registered in the first quarter of 1897, in Rugby.
In 1901 the family lived at 1013 Old Station, Rugby. There were eight children in the family and Albert’s father was a railway labourer.
In 1911 there were eleven children in the house at 1013 Old Station Square and father was a platelayer with the LNWR. Albert was aged 14 and an errand boy.
Albert Bates enlisted on 11 August 1915 with the 5th Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, Regimental number 10174. The battalion was formed at Oxford in August 1914 and placed under orders of 42nd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. Following training, he would have left for France around 20 May 1915.
He was a Private fighting in the action to capture Bellevarde Farm, a diversionary action for the Battle of Loos, on 25 September 1915 and was killed in action. (See more about the Battle of Bellevarde Farm and the Battle of Loos on Rugby Remembers.)
The Rugby Advertiser reported on 23 October 1915
Private Albert Bates of the Machine Gun Section of the Oxford & Bucks L I was killed in action on 25 September 1915. He was the son of Mrs Bates, 98 Old Station, Rugby. His brother Arthur is attached to the Indian Force and is at present quite safe.
There is no service record or medal card for Albert Bates, but there is a record in the Army of Registers Effects for Albert showing his pay of £2 6s 10d to his mother Elizabeth in 1916, and later gratuities of £2 12s 0d to his mother in 1919, and 13s 2d to his brother Thomas in 1920 .
Albert was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He is remembered on Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, the Rugby War Memorial and on gravestone G273 in Clifton Road Cemetery Rugby.
RUGBY REMEMBERS HIM
Rugby Remembers 