Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain S. G. Bates, 7th Hussars and North Somerset Yeomanry, who was wounded at Zillebeke during the First Battle of Ypres on 17 November 1914, and was killed in action six months later at Hooge during the Second Battle of Ypres on 13 May 1915

1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: & Adjt: S. G. Bates. 7/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. S. G. Bates.) housed in a period fitted glazed frame with brass plaque, extremely fine (3) £400-£500

Stanes Geoffrey Bates was born in London on on 2 June 1884, and was educated at Winchester College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 7th Queen's Own Hussars on 22 April 1903, and spent the next two and a half years with his Regiment in South Africa. He was promoted Lieutenant on 27 April 1907, and proceeded with his Regiment to Bangalore in October 1911, and was promoted Captain on 11 May 1912. Returning to England on leave in July 1913, shortly afterwards on 1 November of that year he was appointed Adjutant of the North Somersetshire Yeomanry. He served with this unit during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 November 1914, being soon after attached to the 6th Cavalry Brigade in 3rd Cavalry Division. He was wounded at Zillebeke on 17 November 1914, during the First Battle of Ypres. The Regimental War Diary for this date states:
‘A determined attack was made at noon which was repulsed with heavy loss causing the regiment many casualties including Captain Liebert who was killed. The attack was renewed and Brigadier General Lord Cavan was now informed and asked for reinforcements. He sent up 2 Companies of the Coldstream Guards who occupied the reserve trenches at 3.30pm. Meanwhile the attack had been continued and Lieutenant J. S. Davey was killed. 30 men of A Squadron were sent up under Captain R. E. English to replace casualties. Later on the remainder of A Squadron under Major G. Lubbock was sent up. The enemy made another determined attack at dusk but was repulsed with heavy loss making it unnecessary to call up the Coldstream Guards. The enemy sent up a balloon at midday with flags attached and in the evening used magnesium light to direct the attack. The relief of the trenches was carried out at 6.30pm by the 2nd Life Guards in the firing line and Royal Horse Guards in reserve. C Squadron came under heavy shell fire in the reserve trenches but did not occupy the front trenches. The regiment marched dismounted to Ypres where it picked up its horses and returned to its billets near Vlamertinghe.
Casualties - Captain F. G. C. Liebert and Lieutenant J. S. Davey killed. Capain S. G. Bates 7th Hussars (adjutant) and Second Lieutenant A. N. Bailward wounded. NCOs and men killed 22. Wounded 39. Missing 3. Total casualties 64. Out of these 59 were sustained by the 200 rifles in trenches at Zillebeke.’

After a short period of recovery, Captain Bates was able to return to the Front from the Base Hospital after a few days. He was killed in action by a shell explosion on the 13 May 1915 whilst in the trenches at Hooge during the Second Battle of Ypres. ‘Buried there the same day, amid a few trees behind the line held by the North Somersets, he was much beloved by his men in both Regiments, and his loss is deeply regretted by his Colonel and brother officers of the 7th Hussars.’ (Menin Gate North: in memory and in mourning, by Paul Chapman refers).

Bates has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.