Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Alexander was born in Low Beechburn in December 1889. He was the fourth of five children born to parents John (born in Bitchburn) and Annie (born in Yorkshire). In 1891 the family was living at Malton Colliery. In 1901, the family were living in Hollinside Terrace but by this time Annie was a widow, Alexander’s father having died the previous year, and in 1911 they were living in 4, Station Road, Lanchester. Alexander worked in Ritson's Colliery at Burnhope prior to the outbreak of war.
Alexander enlisted on 9th November 1914 and embarked with the expeditionary force on 4th August 1915 serving with the DLI. He died of wounds on 10th November 1915 and is buried in Sailly-Sur-La-Lys Canadian Cemetery.
Awards: 1915 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Alexander Coates is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04 and at Burnhope on B153.01, B153.05 and B153.09
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 313
