| Rank | CQM Sergt |
| Service # | 6659 |
| Unit # | 1st |
| Resident | Chatham |
Regimental number: 6659 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 502 – 37, Item:28788, PDF: B502-SO37. Date of Birth 22/09/1876 at Codecote, Herts, England, and the son of Amos Bates of High Street, Codecote.
Albert worked as a gardener and general labourer prior to the outbreak of war. Not a big man at 5’ 3 ½” in height, Girth: 35 ¼ “, Complexion: Fair, Eye: Blue, Hair: Fair. Scar on back of head. He was 37 years old and single when he enlisted. He had two years of military experience with the 4th Bedford Regiment in the United Kingdom before coming to Canada. His enlistment is dated 12 August, 1914 at Chatham, ON.
The men of the 24th Kent Regt departed from Quebec board the S. S. Laureutic 1/10/14.
An article in the Chatham Daily News 25/02/1930 reported that Albert along with Pft. William SKEGGS (6742) were walking with Pvt. Cecil HOLMES (7153), in the village of Merris, France on 1/03/1915 when Cecil was killed by an artillery shell.
Albert arrived in France 1/05/15. In a letter written to Mr. and Mrs. John King, 66 Brisco Block, Chatham, Ontario on “Wednesday, May 12, 1915. Resting up.” Albert writes a long letter about his experiences overseas. Starting by saying he and “Billy” (?) are well, the weather is fine and “everywhere is green by the countryside”. He even talks about the “blossoms are on the fruit trees” and “the fast growing hops are four feet high”.
Private Albert Bates’ Account of the “Second Battle at Ypres”
22-23 April, 1915
Reported in the Chatham Daily Planet 1/06/1915.
Transcribed by J. R. Hind 21/03/2005
“It was a good job we were handy for any reverse as the gas is sent over mostly in the evening as it was this time, on April 22nd. It caused the French to retire and abandon the 4-7 guns you hear of. These were not Canadian guns our colonel says, but what the British lent to the French, and were left at the mercy of the enemy, not captured.
We made the attack, driving back the Germans and so saved on 4-7 gun. I don’t know exactly where they were as the horseshoe [salient] extended four miles to our right front, and we were at the left heal so to speak. We had word that the Germans had broken through by eight p.m., April 22nd and we had orders to have everything ready for a “stand to” ready to move at any moment.
The order came at 1:10 a.m. Friday, April 23rd. we marched to the scene about five miles, crossed the canal and dug ourselves in up the side of the road. I went out scouting and felt a few stray bullets whizz past, but did not know we were anywhere near the Germans. We moved up again and rested. Albert was promoted to L/Cpl. 20/06/15 and a month later he was promoted to the rank of Sgt. 11/07/15.
I hope next time we are called and there is something doing we get a chance to shoot a German when our blood is up. We want get even as we have some old scores to rub off yet and don’t look for us to take prisoners.”
Albert was given a one week leave 3/10/15.
A letter from Sergeant Bates was received by Mr. and Mrs. Holmes of Edgar Street, Chatham and reported in the Chatham Daily Planet 1/05/1916. One of the “Chatham Boys” Sergt. Bates enlisted with the ‘Fighting First’ battalion of the C.E.F. Once overseas he was involved in all of the battalions encounters with the Germans that, “had made that battalion famous”, and had escape without injury. In his letter to the Holmes’ he states that he was admitted to hospital on the 13th of March, suffering from, “a severe chill since the 7th.” Albert had contracted influenza and would be hospitalized from 13/03/16 to 14/06/16.
A letter written by R.S.M. Robert WHITFIELD 6641 DSM, “1st Battalion, B.E.F., May 19th, 1916” to Pte. Clifford Morrice then invalided to Chatham mentions Sergeant Bates hospitalization. RSM relate that, “Sergeant Bates is in the hospital in France. He is pretty well used up.”
Sgt. Bates was WIA,the result of a GSW to the head. No. 1 Depot for a head wound 16/05/10 for recovery.
It was reported that that on 3/03/16 he was picked up by N0.3 Field Ambulance. He was transferred to No.13 General Hospital – Boulogne 31/03/16, transferred to No.25 General Hospital – Hardebt 11/04/16.
An article that appeared in the same paper on the 23rd of January bears this theme out. Once again Albert was promoted 31//07/16 to CQMS. “Two Years Of Fighting And Still Unscated. The story states that Sergeant Sheff was one of the few “originals” of the First Battalion still in action. Besides Sergt. Sheff, are Major O. V. Jewett, C.Q.M. A. Bates 6659, Privates J. Moore 6719, F. Spurgeon 6743, F. Burgess 127238, P. Ling 6699, C. Stringer 6736, E. Cruse 400608, W. Emans 401120 and F. Pitt 6724. Jewitt, Burgess, Cruse and Emans were not in fact “originals” of the 1st Contingent from Kent County.
It may have been his attack of Influenza that he came down with Myalgia (musle pain) that would put him in hospital again. He was in a General hospital 9/09/17 to 8/10/17 at No.3 CFA and was discharged from No.10 CFA. The bout of Myalgia 25/09/17 to discharge from hospital 8/10/17
Though Albert had been away from Chatham for over four years and there was little prospect of the war ending soon, he was planning for his return. He had sent a plan for a, “Plot of land” he owned, between the Grand Trunk rail line and Pattison avenue, on Lacroix Street, in Chatham.
He had asked Mr. Holmes to “take care of”, until he got back home.
He embarked from Liverpool 3/05/1919 and arrived at Quebec 12/05/1919 aboard the S.S. Milita.
His Discharge Certificate from th CEFis dated 14/05/1919 at the Quebec Depot. SOS 15/05/19 to Canada. He was given a Medical 20/03/1919 and discharge.
Arrived in Quebec 12/05/19 fo discharge.
There was a change of address for Albert – 1244 Central Ave., Flint, Michigan, USA. 18/11/1921.
Albert Bates passed away 24/05/1957 and is buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham, ON. in block G lot 66, his tomb stone is inscribed with No. 6659 C.Q.M.S. 1st Battn. C.E.F. 1914 –1918.
See Attestation record BATES A 6659 copied. LAC-FMF
Nominal Roll D-Company, 13 Platoon 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion. 17/02/15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (01-06-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (01-05-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (23-01-1917), Chatham Daily News (13-05-1919), Chatham Daily News (15-05-1919), Centennial Chatham 1895-1995 - John Rhodes, Courtesy of D. Miller, Libby's Scrapbook |
| Height | 5' 3 1/2" |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 37 yrs. |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Fair |
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