| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 53458 |
| Unit # | 18th |
| Resident | Chatham |
Regimental number: 53458 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3439 – 26. Item 410998, PDF:- B3439-SO 26. Date of Birth: 05/04/1876 at Budbury, Cambridge, England. N of K: Emily Gates (Wife) of 248 King St. East, Chatham, ON. his wife. A roofer by trade. Member of the 24th Kent Regt. Served three years in the Royal Navy. Attestation: 24/10/1914 at Chatham, ON.
Apparent age: 38 yrs. 5 mos. Height: 5’ 3”, Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Black. Medical: 24th Oct. 1914 @ at Chatham, ON. “Fit”. His “Will” left to his wife Mrs. Joe Gates of 95 King St. East, Chatham, ON. (Estates Branch 19/10/17). Emily would change the location to 78 Wellington, St. E., Chatham.
Arrived overseas aboard the S.S. Grampian from Canada. He had to forfeit two day pay for being drunk. , Fined $5.00 for drunkenness, Five day pay for fitted for being AWOL.
Embarked for FRANCE, 18/09/16
He served as Sapper and Miner for one year and in the trenches one year.
In January 1916 Pte., Gates was fined $200. For being Drunk. 7/03/16 he was given 28 days for Drunk on Rum rations. 14/04/16 given 14 days No. 1 Field Punishment – Paraded. 18/08/16 Joseph came down with Diarrhea returned to Base.
19/02/17 Forfeit 14 days pay for being AWOL
It was reported that Pte. Joseph Gates was KIA. It was later reported that he died of wounds with a GSW to the head, his left arm was shattered and suffered a le wound. He was removed by No. 6 Cdn. Field Ambulance, and taken to a Dressing Station. 24/05/17 Pte. Gates had DOW. This was corrected 23/06/17,
GATES, JOSEPH. Nationality: Canadian. Rank: Private, Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 18th Bn. DOW, Date of Death: 13/05/1917, Service No: 53458
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL.
His widow Emily Gates of 39 Barth St. , Chatham, ON with a War Service Gratuity of $180.00. She also received the Memorial Cross 16/11/20, and the Memorial Plaque 28/09/21 and Memorial Scroll 3/12/20.
Afa: LAC, CVWM.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Cenotaph | Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (21-05-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (04-06-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (08-06-1917), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3439 – 26 |
| Supplemental Information | Wife: Mrs. E. J. Gates, Chatham Children: Nellie Clarice, Charles Joseph, Doris May, Alice Maud, Joseph Clarence DOW, Date of Death: 13/05/1917 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL. |
| Height | 5'3" |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 38 yrs. 5 mths. |
| Complexion | Dark |
| Hair | Black |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | 05/04/1876 at Budbury, Cambridge, England |
| Religion | Anglican |
| Last Place of Employment | Roofer for Albert Tomlinson, Chatham, Ontario |
| Average Earnings | 15/wk |
| Marital Status | married |
| When Enlisted | Oct. 1914 |
| Where Enlisted | Chatham, Ontario |
| Allowance from Patriotic Fund | 28/mth |
| Next of Kin | Emily Gates of 248 King St. East, Chatham, ON. his wife. |
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