Henry (Harry) Bates (1891–1975)

Gunner

Royal Garrison Artillery 176436 524 Seige Battery

All photos courtesy David Cooke

Photo of harry Bates c1920

Taken c 1920

Biography
Known as Harry, he was born and raised at Canal Side, Crich Chase, his parents were Joseph and Eliza Bates. His father was a horse keeper at Ambergate wireworks and Harry also worked there throughout his working life. During WW1, he served as a gunner with the RGA. He marriedMary Needham in 1917 and had a daughter. The family lived for many years at Ridgeway, Ambergate, and Harry was latterly a foreman at the wireworks. His cousin, Richard Cyril Tatham, became a prisoner of war in Holland. During WW2, he served as a sergeant with a local corps of the Home Guard.

Harry Bates in the Home Guard

Harry in the Home Guard during WW2

Medal Index Card
Awarded the Victory and British War medals.

WW1 medal box for Harry Bates

Harry's medal box

WW1 medals for Harry Bates

ww1 medals for Harry Bates

Harry's medals

Newspaper Report

Ripley & Heanor News 16 April 1915
A PRISONER IN HOLLAND
Mr J. Bates of Canal-side, Bull Bridge, has received a letter from his nephew, Seaman R. C. Tatham, who is a prisoner in Holland, giving an interesting account of his experiences since he left the old country. He was in the defence of Antwerp, and was one of the 1500 men who in the retreat got onto Dutch soil, and there has had to remain a prisoner of war. He points out that Holland is in rather a perilous position at present and if things turned the wrong way they may find themselves in the trenches again. “The sooner the better," he concludes.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich Wood

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Bates Head 35 Horse driver Anslow, Staffs
Eliza Bates wife 30   Heage
Henry Bates son 9   Crich
George W Bates son 6   Crich
Ida Ellen Bates daughter 4   Crich
Harold Bates son 2   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 68 page 21

1911: Canal Side, Ambergate

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Bates Head 45 Horse keeper, wire mills Anslow, Staffs
Eliza Bates wife 40   Heage
Henry Bates son 19 Horse driver, wire mills Ambergate
George William Bates son 16 Boy wire drawing mill Ambergate
Ida Ellen Bates daughter 14   Ambergate
Harold Bates son 12   Ambergate
Edgar Bates son 9   Ambergate
John Ronald Bates son 7   Ambergate
Albert Bates son 5 mo   Ambergate

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN267

1918 Crich voters
Harry Bates, The Chase; absent on military service.

1939 Register: Ambergate
Harry Bates b.25 April 1891; Wire works night foreman
Mary E Bates b.13 June 1892
One closed record