On Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium is the name of 277162 Private Colin Campbell Coates serving with the 18th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 12/04/1918.

Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:

Colin was the son of George Emmerson Coates and Mary (nee Robson) and was born 1893 East Hartlepool. His father was a brass founder whilst George later worked as a coal miner putter.

In 1901 the large family of 12 were living in 3 rooms at 68 Derwentwater Road Gateshead. Apart from George and his parents there were also 6 brothers and sisters as well as 2 other relatives sharing the limited accommodation.

By 1911 the census shows the family had moved to 201 Derwentwater Road but although 12 members were living there the accommodation was still only 3 rooms.

Colin enlisted and was posted to France on the 20th April 1915. He was killed in action 12th April 1918 aged 25 years.

Colin Campbell Coates is remembered at Gateshead on G39.004, and at Durham in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 80.