| George Edward Cates | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 9 May 1892 Wimbledon, London, England |
| Died | 9 March 1917(1917-03-09) (aged 24) Bouchavesnes, France |
| Buried | Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1917 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Second Lieutenant George Edward Cates VC (9 May 1892 – 9 March 1917) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Cates was born on 9 May 1892 to George and Alice Ann Cates, of Wimbledon, London, the seventh of nine children. After attending Rutlish School in Merton, he worked as a clerk for an insurance company.
In December 1914, four months after the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the 28th London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles), and went to France in August 1915. He was later commissioned second lieutenant.
He was a 24 years old second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), British Army, during the First World War, and was awarded the VC for his actions on 8 March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench this officer struck with his spade a buried bomb, which immediately started to burn. 2nd Lt. Cates, in order to save the lives of his comrades, placed his foot on the bomb, which immediately exploded. He showed the most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing the act which cost him his life, but saved the lives of others.
— The London Gazette, dated 11 May 1917
Cates died of his wounds the next day. Two of his brothers also died during the war.
His VC is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester, England.
Cates is commemorated on both the Wimbledon and Richardson Evans Memorial Fields war memorials, and has a plaque at the former.
References
- Gliddon 2012, pp. 18–20.
- ^ Cates, George Edward, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ Gliddon 2012, p. 19.
- ^ "George Edward Cates VC: biography". VConline.org.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- "No. 30064". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 May 1917. p. 4587.
- Gliddon 2012, pp. 18–19.
- Cates, Geoffrey, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Cates, William Frederick, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ Gliddon 2012, p. 20.
- See Wikimedia Commons pictures at: Photo - War Memorial, Richardson Evans Memorial playing fields Photo - Memorial plaque to Second Lieutenant George Cates
- Gliddon 2012, pp. 19–20.
Bibliography
- Gliddon, Gerald (2012) . Arras and Messines 1917. VCs of the First World War. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-6604-0.
- 1892 births
- 1917 deaths
- People from Wimbledon, London
- Rifle Brigade officers
- Artists' Rifles soldiers
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- People educated at Rutlish School
- Military personnel from the London Borough of Merton
- Burials in Hauts-de-France
- Territorial Force soldiers