Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Yates, a shoe trade finisher, born 1847 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Yates, born 1848 in Rearsby, Leicestershire. Joseph was born on the 22nd April 1877 in Sileby and was baptised on the 28th September 1879 in the parish church Sileby, his siblings were, Frederick, a brick yard labourer, born 1867, William, a schoolboy, born 1869, Maria, a schoolgirl, born 1871, Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 1873, Rebecca, a schoolgirl, born 1875 and Bertha, born 1880, all his siblings were born in Sileby, in April 1881 the family home was at South Church Lane, Sileby. In April 1891 Joseph was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Back Lane, Sileby, together with his father, a shoe trade finisher, his mother and siblings, Maria, a Griswold knitter, Rebecca, a hosiery trade worker, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1882 and Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Sileby. In March 1901 Joseph was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at King Street, Sileby, together with his wife Edith Annie Yates (nee Porter, married on the 3rd May 1897 in St. Mary’s Church Sileby, Leicestershire), a shoe trade machinist, born 1879 in Sileby, and their children, Florence Elsie, born 18th September 1897 and Joseph Walter, born on the 28th January 1899 in Sileby and was baptised on the 26th February 1899 in the parish church, Sileby, both children were born in Sileby. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at 10, Seagrave Road, Sileby, together with his wife, a shoe trade machinist and children, Florence, a shoe trade machinist, Joseph, a schoolboy and Frederick, born 28th October 1910 in Sileby. Joseph and Edith also had a daughter, Doris, born 1st June 1914 in Sileby. Their son, Joseph was killed in action in August 1918.
Joseph attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 8th December 1915 in Sileby. He gave his full address as 10, Seagrave Road, Sileby, Leicester, his age as 38 years and 7 months and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He confirmed that he was married and gave his wife Edith Annie Yates of 10, Seagrave Road, Sileby, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination that took place on the 4th November 1916 in Leicester recorded his declared age as 39 years, his place of birth as Sileby, Leicestershire and that he was 5 foot 5¼ inches in height, weighed 118 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. After attestation on the 8/12/15 in Sileby he was transferred as Private, service number T/294129 to the Army Reserve on the 8/12/15. Mobilized on the 5/2/17. Posted to the Army Service Corps Depot on the 5/2/17. Joined No.3 Depot, Army Service Corps, Bradford on the 6/2/17. Transferred to 550th Company, Army Service Corps at Henham Camp on the 7/6/17. Transferred to No.1 Reserve H.T. Depot, Park Royal on the 28/8/17. Embarked from Southampton, aboard the S.S. Queen Alexandra to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 22/9/17. Disembarked at Le Havre on the 23/9/17. Posted to Army Service Corps, Base Depot (H. T. & S.) on the 23/9/17. Posted to 18th Reserve Park on the 27/9/17. He was charged with the offence; On the 23/10/17, in the Field. Leaving transport duty without permission. He was awarded 7 days forfeiture of pay on the 24/10/17. He was charged with the offence; On the 5/1/18, in the Field. Disobedience of G.R.O. 430, ie. Trotting heavy draft horses attached to a G.S. Wagon. He was awarded 3 days forfeiture of pay on the 10/1/18. Posted to Army Service Corps, Brigade Depot on the 14/3/18. Transferred to 3rd Army Auxilliary Horse Transport on the 17/3/18. He was charged with the offence; On the 18/4/18, in the Field. When on transport duty leaving his horses unattended contrary to orders. He was awarded 7 days forfeiture of pay on the 19/4/18. Proceeded on leave to England on the 23/10/18. Returned from leave on the 6/11/18. Posted to No.11 Army Auxilliary Horse Company, Army Service Corps on the 21/11/18. Died in the 22nd Casualty Clearing Station, France from irritant poisoning on the 22/12/18. A summary of his service records: Reserve, 8/12/15 – 4/2/17, 1 year 59 days. Home Service, 2/2/17 – 21/9/17, 229 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 22/9/17 – 22/10/18, 1 year 31 days. On furlough from overseas, 23/10/18 – 6/11/18, 15 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 7/11/18 – 29/12/18, 53 days. Total service, 3 years 22 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The following is official correspondence in relation to the circumstances and death.
Officer in charge R.A.S.C. Section, G.H.Q. 3rd Echelon.
T/294129, Dr. Yates, J. 66 Coy. A.S.C. admitted to 22 C.C.S. 5.30pm 29-12-18 with history of having taken a drink at about midday and having shortly afterwards been seized with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
On admission patient was collapsed and pulse less.
No burning at lips or mucous membrane of mouth.
Stimulants given and hot water bottles applied.
Stomach washed out and an attempt made to give saline infusia.
Patient never rallied but died at 7.45pm.
Post-Mortem exam.
Stomach mucous surface much congested and inflamed lunar slanges and ulceration along tops of enae/ No perforation.
Mucous membrane small intestine much inflamed.
Lungs advanced chronic interstivial uephritis.
Stomach contents sent to base for examination.
The Death reported to O.C. 66 Coy. A.S.C. in case a Court of Enquiry were to be held.
Signed P. C. SIDGWICK, Lt. Col. RAMC.
O.C. No.22, Casualty Clearing Station. 6.1.19.
COPY.
To O.C.
No.22, C.C.S.
Report on the chemical examination of the Gastric Contents and Viscera of Driver J. YATES, 66, Coy. R.A.S.C.
On Chemical examination on organic or inorganic poisons were found by the Base Hygiene Laboratory.
Signed F. A. Duffield,
Capt. R.A.M.C. S.R. O.C., No.10, Mobile Laboratory.
Certified true copy
Signed P. C. Sidgwick, Lt. Col. RAMC, Commdg. No.22, Cas. Clg. Sta. 12-3-19
CERTIFICATE.
T/294129, Dvr. Yates, J.
Was the soldier in the performance of military duty or did he die from wounds or injuries received in the performance of military duty, or from disease medically certified as commencing or contracted on actice service? (“Yes” or “No”).
YES. Signed P. C. Sidgwick, Lt. Col. RAMC. France.
Certified true copy.
Proceedings of a Court of Enquiry assembled as Masnieres, France by order of Deputy Adjutant General G.H.Q. 3rd Echelon for the purposes of investigating and reporting upon the circumstances connected with the death of No. T/294129, Driver Yates of R.A.S.C. No. XI. A.A.H. Coy.
PRESIDENT.
T/Major E. H. TROUSDALE, M.C., R.A.S.C.
MEMBERS.
T/2nd Lieutenant L. LEWELLIN, R.A.S.C.
IN ATTENDANCE.
The Court having assembled pursuant to order, proceed to take evidence.
1st Evidence. No. T4/251383, Wheeler Corporal. Hill, W. No. XI, Army Aux. Horse Coy, states:-
At Masnieres on the 28th December 1918, I was proceeding to the canal to get some water about 12.30pm. I heard someone groaning in a shed as I was passing. I looked in and found No. T/294129 Dr. Yates, J. in a crouching position in the corner. He appeared to be in great pain, and was frothing at the mouth. I asked him what was the matter, and he told me he thought he was poisoned, as he had had a drink from one of the Chinese. I got assistance and took him to the billet. I could get no more information from him.
Signed T4/251383 Whr. Cpl. Hill, W.
2nd Evidence. No. T3/026090, Corpl. Hiscock, R. D. No. XI, Army Aux. Horse Coy. states:-
At Masnieres on the 28th December 1918 at about 12/30pm. I was in the billet when Wheeler Corpl. Hill brought in Dr. Yates, J. The man was in a very exhausted condition he seemed to be in great pain and was foaming at the mouth, and kept groaning and holding his stomach. He made no statement in my presence. I sent off at once for the Medical Officer who arrived about 12.40pm. Dr. Yates had not been out on duty with his pair that day. He had taken his horses to water near the canal at about 11.15am and watered a rider as well, afterwards. I was temporarily in charge of the Detachment at the time. The Detachment was then and still is working on salvage with No.28, Labour Group and all the work is done by Chinese as loaders.
Signed T3/026090, R. R. Hiscock. Cpl.
3rd Evidence. No. T/294158, Farrier Driver Potter, C. H., No. XI, Army Aux. Horse Coy. states:-
At Masnieres on the 28th December 1918, at about 12.40pm in the Detachment lines I saw Dr. Yates who was a great friend of mine in peace time, lying on a stretcher; I asked him what was the matter with him. He said that he did not know. I asked him what he had been having, he told me that he took a drink off a Chinaman in the stables; that it was a hot drink and that the Chinaman gave it him out of a mug, and that this was how it had served him. He asked me if they were going to take him to Hospital and I said they had sent for an ambulance.
Signed C. H. Potter.
4th Evidence. No. T/425771. Dr. Hutchings, W. P., No. XI, Army Aux. Horse Coy. states:-
At Masnieres on the 28th December 1918, at about 12.30pm. I saw Dvr. Yates brought in to the billet. He seemed to be in great pain and trying to vomit. I was standing by watching when the M.O. came in. I heard Dr. Yates say to the M.O., that the Chinks had given him something to drink. I did not hear him say any more.
Signed W. P. Hutchings, Driver.
No further evidence available.
Signed at Masnieres, this third day of March 1919.
President:- E. H. TROUSDALE, Major, R.A.S.C, No. XI, A.A.H. Coy.
Member:- L. LEWELLIN, 2nd Lieut. R.A.S.C, No. XI, A.A.H. Coy.
OPINION.
In my opinion this man was on duty and was not to blame.
Signed EH. TROUSDALE, Major, Commdg. No. XI, Army Aux. (Horse) Coy.
Certified true copy. 4/4/19.
The following information was provided by Joseph’s widow Edith A. Yates on the 9th December 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Philip M. Richardson, Minister of Religion, The Manse, Seagrave Road, Sileby, Nr. Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Edith Annie Yates of 10, Seagrave Road, Sileby. Children of soldier, Fred Yates, October 10th 1910 of 10, Seagrave Road, Sileby. Doris Yates, June 1st 1914, of 10, Seagrave Road, Sileby. Father of soldier, Thomas Yates of Church lane, Sileby. Mother of soldier, Ann Yates of Church Lane, Sileby. Full blood brothers of soldier, Thomas Yates, age 38 of Brook Street, Sileby. Full blood sisters of soldier, Maria Brooksby, age 49 of Oxford Street, Loughborough.