No.G/17655, Private, John SCATES
Aged 36
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William John Scates was born in Hartest (1st qtr 1881 Sudbury 4a:569) son of David and Ann SCATES (née OLLINGTON)
1891 census...Aged 10, he was at The Barracks, Lawshall with his father David SCATES [36] farm labourer born Whepstead; mother Ann [30] born Whepstead; brothers William [5] and George [3] both born Lawshall and sister Eliabeth [4] born Lawshall., 1901 census...Aged 20, a farm labourer, he was at Cooper's Farm, Hawstead with his parents (father now recorded as born in Hawstead); brothers William, George, James [8], Harry [5] and sisters Emma [16] and Millie [2]. All the children except John were born in Lawshall. 1911 census...Aged 31, a farm labourer, he was at Pinford End, Hawstead with his parents (father now recorded as born Wheptead); brothers William and James (farm labourers), Harry (yard lad); nephew Harold William [5] born Bury St.Edmunds; sisters Mildred [6] born Lawshall and Annie [6] born Hawstead. His mother had lost 3 of her 13 children On the pension card his mother was at Pinford End, Hawstead. His brother James was died in 1918 as a prisoner of war see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 28th February 1916, mobilised on 25th March in 12th Queens Own.. He gave his date of birth as 2nd March 1877 (aged 38 years 11 months), a farm
labourer from Hawstead. Next of kin his father David from Hawstead. He was 5 feet 8.5 inches tall, weighed 140 lbs, chest 34.5 to 37 inches. He was posted to the BEF on 1st September 1916 and transferred to 5th Battalion on 7th October 1916 He was wounded but stayed in action on 5th December 1916. Wounded again in left arm on 11th April 1917, hospitalised in Etaples and returned to duty 8th May 1917. Reported missing 17th July 1917 The battalion was in trenches SE of Monchy..the war diary has 17th...The attacking coys moved up into position at 1am. Position at zero D Coy on left, B Coy right with consolidating party, C Coy in support, A Coy in Reserve. The attack, assisted by artillery and Stokes mortar barrage, got well away at zero hour 4:45 am. Some of the attacking troops, particularly the centre, were compelled to withdraw and the position remained somewhat obscure until about 2:30 pm when a message was received from Capt Thomas who had established himself in a post in LONG RENCH. Information contained in the message was speedily passed to Brigade and the Battalions in conjunction with the 6th Queens on right were ordered to reinforce Capt Thomas and his party holding out in LONG TRENCH at 9:45 pm. 2 platoons A Coy and 2 platoons C Coy attacked at zero. Attack completely successful and captured ground consolidated before day light. Casualties- 8 officers 98 OR. 2 officers killed, 2 missing 4 wounded. CWGC has 37 of the battalion killed..
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