Military History

Yates was underage and received his parents written consent to enlist and serve
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ulysses’ A38 for Egypt 2.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion, 11th Reinf.
Yates disembarked in Egypt with his Battalion. He was diagnosed with mumps and admitted to the 4th Auxiliary Hospital at Abbassia 17.1.1916. Yates was discharged to duty 5.2.1916. He joined the BEF and embarked at Alexandria for France with ‘B’ Coy. 11th Battalion for France 29.3.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 5.4.1916. The 11th Battalion participated in trench warfare on the front, however, in July it engaged in its first major action at Pozieres on 23.7.1918 (AWM 11th Battalion). Yates was wounded in action (shell shock) and invalided to England per HS ‘Salfa’ 27.7.1916. He was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham with exhaustion and slight shell shock. He was later admitted to the Brigade Hospital with a disability. Yates was granted furlough, then proceeded to Perham Downs 30.8.1916. Whilst in England, Yates married Annie Dawson of 2 Tenison St. North Lambeth at the Lambeth Registry Office 10.8.1918. He proceeded overseas to France per ‘Golden Eagle’ 11.12.1916 and rejoined his unit. Yates was admitted to Hospital with scabies 17.1.1917 and rejoined his Battalion 21.3.1917. The 11th Battalion took part in a brief advance towards the Hindenburg Line in April 1917 and the Third Battle of Ypres. (AWM 11th Battalion) Yates would have participated in these actions. He was hospitalized in 13.11.1917 and reported absent from parade 24.1.1918. Yates was attached to the 4th Squadron Australian Flying Corps as an officer’s servant 24.2.1918. He rejoined his Unit 18.8.1918. Yates was hospitalized in France at the 1st Australian Divisional Hospital 14.1.1919 then transferred to hospital in England at Bulford 20.1.1919. Yates broke out of hospital and forfeited 21 days pay. He marched in to Sutton Veny 14.2.1919 to No.2 Group and was demobilized and listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Lucy Woermann’ 15.12.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 13.1.1920.
Discharged 13.3.1920.
Final Rank Private 11th Battalion.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Yates divorced his wife Annie Yates, on grounds of bigamy and misconduct, she had remarried in 1921 and cohabited with her new husband. A Decree Nisi was granted. The proceedings were documented in local papers. (DN 10.4.1923, WAN 16.10.1923).
Photo  Western Mail 8.9.1916 p23
             HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced AWM PS015
             Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph source AWM EZ0097
            3rd Battle of Ypres, 3rd Division Soldiers marching to the front through Ypres. Photographer Barnes E.C. Photograph source AWM C0044

Information Source
AWM PS015. HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM EZ0097. Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM C0044. 3rd Battle of Ypres, 3rd Division Soldiers marching to the front through Ypres. Photographer Barnes E.C. Photograph sourced from the pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Henry Leslie Yates
Daily News
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Yates H L
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail


Capel, WA.

 

Associated Images