F.R. Bates at Rouen Far left Back Row
Medal Index Card
Pelton Cemetery
18854 Private
F.R. Bates
Durham Light Infantry
23rd April 1920 Age 26.
Francis Reay was born on the 15th May 1894 at Perkinsville the son of Thomas Reay Bates, [born at Swalwell on the 16th April 1866], and his wife Sarah [nee Wilkinson], born Little Clifton, Cumberland on the 24th September 1868. The had been married in Chester-le-Street on the 12th November 1887. Francis was the third eldest of ten children with two brothers and five sisters.
John James, born Perkinsville on the 2nd December 1890, Mary Ann, born Urpeth on the 16th April 1892, Elinor [Elinore, or Eleanor], born Pelton Fell on the 20th March 1896, Benjamin, born at Perkinsville on the 21st February 1898, Matthew, born at Perkinsville on the 7th October 1900, Ann Magdalene born 13th July 1902 and Sarah Wilkinson, born 11th February 1906. Two other children George and Robert had died.
In 1911, Francis Reay Bates was living at 208 Ouston Square, Birtley with the rest of the family. Francis was a miner.
He enlisted at Birtley on the 11th September 1914, [his service record actually states the 9th September] and was sent abroad on the 20th July 1915. Whilst he was serving, he was reported twice for over staying his leave, which resulted in his pay being deducted and fined loss of earnings. He was wounded by shrapnel in the back, and was sent to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen in 1916. (see above photo). Francis also suffered from shell shock. When he recovered, was attached to the 86th Prince of Wales Company part of the Labour Corps, Service Number 566355.
He was discharged with a 40% disability pension and was awarded a pension of 11s rising to 16s from the 2nd September 1919. He resided at 248 South Street, Ouston and returned to work underground. However due to ill health he was re-employed at the pit as a timekeeper.
Ill health continued and eventually Francis died from ulcerative endocarditis and cardiac failure at the Royal Victoria Infirmary on the 23rd April 1920.
Research: James Pasby Family book/dairy kept by Frank Reay Bates in the possession and given to NEWMP.
Postscript: In 2012 there was an article in the Chester Advertiser appealing for relatives of the family to contact a collector of World War 1 items from the USA, who recently had bought from e-Bay, Francis Reay Bates' testament [Bible], which was given to all soldiers as a comfort if needed. The family did indeed contact the collector through NEWMP and he returned the testament to the family.
You can read about the 11th Battalion DLI in a book called 'The 11th Durham Light Infantry In their own names', Author: Martin Bashforth ISBN 9781445602653. Published 2011 by Amberley Books.
Francis Bates is remembered at Birtley on B127.01
