Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Bates, an agricultural labourer and shepherd, born 4th March 1854 in Ashby Magna, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Bates (nee Hancock), born 1855 in Desford, Leicestershire. Walter was born in the 2nd quarter of 1879 in Croft, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, Ellen, born 1878 in Croft, Leicestershire, in April 1881 the family home was at Croft. In April 1891 Walter was employed as a quarry boy in the concrete sheds and was residing in the family home at 4, Concrete Houses, New Row, Croft, together with his father, a quarry labourer, his mother and siblings, George, a schoolboy, born 1881, Harry, born 5th December 1885, in Desford, Mary Rebecca, born 1887 and Rosalia, born 1889, the latter three siblings were born in Croft. In March 1901 Walter was absent from the family home at 49, Granite Cottages, Croft, residing there was his father, a farm cattleman, his mother and siblings, Harry, a farm cattleman, Mary, Rosalia, a schoolgirl, Annie, a schoolgirl, born 1892, Joseph, a schoolboy, born 8th September 1893 and Arthur Richard, a schoolboy, born 20th August 1897, the latter three siblings were born in Croft, Walter was a serving soldier with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, stationed at Chelsea Barracks, Bridge Road, Chelsea, London. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home in Huncote, Leicestershire, together with his wife Emily Isabel Bates (nee Tilcock, married on the 6th June 1904 in St. Mark’s Church, Notting Hill, Middlesex), born 1879 in Misterton, Leicestershire, and their children Frederick Reginald, a schoolboy, born 1906, Elizabeth Helena, born 1908 and Walter John Richard, born 1909, the latter three children were all born in Wimbledon, Surrey and Alfred Dennis, born 1911 in Huncote. Another son, Lloyd George Ernest, was born on the 3rd May 1913 in Enderby, Leicestershire.
Walter enlisted into the Regular Army on the 13th March 1900 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 3433. He gave his place of birth as Croft, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 9 months. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as labourer.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 7¼ inches in height, weighed 129 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 35½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, and the following distinctive marks were noted, mole above left shoulder blade, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Joseph, of Croft, Nr. Leicester. Mother Elizabeth of Croft, Nr. Leicester. Brothers (younger) George and Henry of Croft, Nr. Leicester.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. At London. 15/3/1900.
Posted 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards. 13/3/1900.
Posted 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. 7/11/1901.
Discharged by purchase (£18.00). 16/3/1904.
Summary of Service:
Home Service. 13/3/1900 – 6/11/1901. 1 year 239 days.
South Africa. 7/11/1901 – 4/10/1902. 332 days.
Home Service. 5/10/1902 – 16/3/1904. 1 year 164 days.
Total service, 4 years 4 days.
He was awarded the South Africa Medal 1901-02.
Walter enlisted into the Regular Army on the 5th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allocated the service number 12314. He gave his place of birth as Croft, Leicestershire and age as 35 years 112 days. Marital status as married and his trade or calling as labourer..
He confirmed that he had previously served with the Coldstream Guards.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, weighed 134 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches, his complexion was described as sallow, he had dark brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown, his physical development was described as good, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Emily Isabel Bates, Mill Lane, Huncote, Leicestershire. Son Frederick R. Bates, Mill Lane, Huncote, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. For Recruits Training. 5/9/14.
Posted. To 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. -?-.
Embarked. Southampton. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 11/12/14.
Killed in action. During operations. Place not stated. In the Field, 10-13/3/15.
Summary of Service:
Home Service. 5/9/14 – 11/12/14. 98 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 12/12/14 – 13/3/15. 92 days.
Total service, 190 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Walter’s surviving service records amount to a total of four pages in good condition for his first enlistment into the Coldstream Guards, and eleven pages for his second enlistment, however these latter eleven pages are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 10 Mar-15 - All in position by 5.00am 10th March. At 7.30am the artillery bombardment commenced and at 7.45am “C” Company followed by “D” Company moved up by communication trench to the northern position of eastern face of PORT ARTHUR. At 8.05am “B” and “C” Companies advanced each Company having two platoons in front line closely supported by the other two platoons in 2nd line. The advance was carried out at a steady double. The first line of enemy’s trenches was carried and the advance was continued over several other enemy’s trenches and communication trenches reaching the final objective (line P.O. to road) at about 5.20am. “B” Company occupying that position of German trench extending from P to the line joining D and 5 and “C” Company on their right extending through O to the road. Two platoons from each “A” and “D” Companies had supported “B” and “C” Company in third line. The “D” Company platoons occupied the houses about D and covered “C” Company’s rear and finally moved up on “C” Company’s right joining “C” Company to road D.N. Meanwhile owing to the 1/39th edging off to their right a gap of about 200 yards of the first German trench been unaccounted for and this position was still held by Germans who moved down trench opposite our right. Two parties endeavoured to dislodge them from trench to north of wired house and from wired house opposite our right. One platoon of “D” Company from Reserve under Captain ROMILLY succeeded in bombing them back down trench eventually up to within 20 yards of wired house, here a barricade was built and with two reserve platoons of “A” Company was held until the SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS advancing from our left took the line. (The Companies in the front line at once commenced improving the German trench and reversed the parapet). About 5.00pm, the enemy endeavoured to retire north eastwards but with the 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS attacking from the west, the 3rd LONDON REGT. from the south west and the fire of “A” Company enfilading them they raised the white flag and surrendered. About 80 prisoners were taken. About 3.40pm orders were received that the left of our advanced line was to swing round to P to connect with 2/3rd GURKHAS this had already been done. At 3.45pm information received that the DEHRA DUN Brigade was going to pass through to attack the BOIS DE BIEXZ and that GARWHAL Brigade would remain on line T.P.O. and consolidate position. At 5.15pm Front line of Indian Army Corps from left to right 2/39th – 2/3rd – 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. – 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS – 3rd LONDON REGT. – 1/39th – up to this hour the right flank of forward line by road had been in the air. About midnight 10th/11th March the 2/39th were withdrawn and attached to the DEHRA DUN Brigade.
The War Diary records: 11 Mar-15 - The DEHRA DUN Brigade advanced as far as the BOIS DE BIEZ but before dawn withdrew and dug themselves in. The 2/2nd GURKHAS digging a trench 100 yards in front of the 2/3rd GURKHAS trench and the 2/39th coming into that portion of our line held by “C” and ½ of “D” Companies. The trench dug by the 2/2nd made 60 yards of trench on my left, which was occupied by “B” Company and faced north, of no account as this portion of the trench flanked the line held by the 2/3rd GURKHAS. The ½ of “A” Company in front line was withdrawn to D at dusk. During the night 11th/12th March the 2/2nd GURKHAS were withdrawn and the trench was left unoccupied.
The War Diary records: 12 Mar-15 - The enemy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR. On the 12th March at 5.15 am the Germans counter attacked and “A” Company at D. was called up but this counter attack broke down on the right at 100 yards from our trenches. On the left they occupied the trench vacated by the 2/2nd GURKHAS and advanced from there direct on the 2/3rd GURKHAS. They were received with frontal fire from the GURKHAS and enfiladed by “B” Company and one Machine Gun under Captain McINTYRE and few returned to their trench. At 9.00 am a white flag was seen in this trench and at 9.30 am a Company of the 1/4th GURKHAS advanced as there was no further movement by the enemy a party under 2nd Lieutenant McINTYRE under fire from enemy behind white flags rushed to the trench and assisted the GURKHAS in clearing it of the enemy, many of whom were killed or wounded, the remainder surrendering to the 1st HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY further north. Information received at 11.00 am the SIRHIND Brigade supported by JULLUNDER Brigade was going to attack in easterly direction, but no attack took place although troops were formed up behind front line, owing to open nature of ground and lack of cover they suffered somewhat heavily. At 3.37 pm received information that GARWHAL Brigade would remain in possession of line. At 6.00 pm FEROZEPORE Brigade came up but by 11.00 pm it was decided that attack would not take place. Heavy artillery shelled PORT ARTHUR from 1.00 pm to 2.15 pm. Battalion Headquarters and ½ “D” Company moved to D. at 3.00 pm. JULLUNDER and FEROZEPORE Brigade withdrawn about 11.30 pm.
The War Diary records: 13 Mar-15 - Heavy shelling in neighbourhood of D. and NEUVE CHAPELLE during the morning. Snipers very active. At 12.30 pm it was reported by a Gunner observing officer that the enemy were collecting on the line of LAYES river S.5.b to M.36.c. Orders were issued by Brigade at 5.15 pm for relief of line by SIRHIND Brigade (Appendix E). Operational orders issued at 6.30 pm (Appendix F). At 5.30 pm information was received that appearances were in favour of the enemy attacking. Relief completed at midnight 13th/14th March all quiet and Battalion marched to L’EPINETTE via F. Brigade Headquarters RUE DES BERCEAUX – QUEEN MARY ROAD – LA COUTURE – ZELOBES and LOCON ROAD arriving at billets at 6.00 am 14th March.