William Henry KATES DCM

William Henry KATES DCM Update Details

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KATES, William Henry

Service Number:	2867
Enlisted:	11 August 1915
Last Rank:	Sergeant
Last Unit:	18th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Junee, New South Wales, Australia, 1889
Home Town:	Junee, Junee, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Engine driver
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

11 Aug 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2867, 18th Infantry Battalion
2 Nov 1915:	Involvement Private, 2867, 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
2 Nov 1915:	Embarked Private, 2867, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney
21 Sep 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 18th Infantry Battalion
29 Sep 1917:	Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 18th Infantry Battalion
9 Jan 1918:	Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 18th Infantry Battalion
27 Aug 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2867, 18th Infantry Battalion

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Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

William Henry Kates was the son of Emily Elizabeth Kates, of Junee, New South Wales and the late William Kates who had passed away in 1909 when William was about 20 years of age.

His younger brother, 7346 Pte. Francis Herbert Kates 34th Battalion AIF was killed in action .in Belgium on 27 November 1917, a few months short of his 20th birthday.

William was wounded in action at Pozieres in August 1916 and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his work near Westhoek in Belgium on 20 September 1917.

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When during the advance a hostile machine gun opened fire on our men, he rushed forward, engaging the gun at close quarters. Later, observing a machine gun coming into action 100 yards in front, he immediately proceeded across the open and put the gun out of action. His work throughout was splendid.”

William returned to Australia in May 1919.

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