Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Edward Bates was born in Port Broughton, South Australia on 30th September 1892. Son of James Bates and Annie Maria Mildren, Bates spent the majority of his life working as a farm labourer, living a humble life at his home in North Norwood until he enlisted in the 20th reinforcements of the 27th Infantry Battalion on 14th July 1917.

After boarding the HMAT A60 Aeneas on 30th October, 1917 (see photograph in photo gallery), Bates was sent to hospital for 21 days before arriving at Devonport on the 27th December. He was then informed that the 48th Battalion was in desperate need of reinforcements and was therefore sent to France via Dover on the HMAT A60 Aeneas from the 31st March to 1st April 1918.

On the 6th when Bates and the rest of his crew landed in Albert, France, he was directed to the number 1 overflow camp while the rest of the 48th battalion, who had been relieved by the 46th battalion, returned to the Pioneer trenches. At 5pm that same day, the enemy lead a heavy barrage on the front and supported lines, which lasted until 7.25pm; after this unexpected conflict, posts were re-established near Amiens Road at 9pm situated on higher ground. Torrential rain continued to flood the surrounding area.

From the 7th to the 11th, soldiers travelled from Albert to Bussy-lés-Daours, to Coisy and finally to Beaucourt. They suffered a total of 17 casualties throughout the journey; any downtime during this time was spent cleaning equipment and reorganising troops.

After arriving in Beaucourt on the 13th, soldiers spent most of the day training with the Lewis Gun (automatic machine gun) and box respirators (gas mask).

Strong points were dug on the 14th, which were later made into rescue lines. The men continued to work for the next few days on a new line that ran from Beaucourt through Montigny-le-Bretonneux towards Fréchencourt. The Lewis Gun and Signalling classes continued as usual for the rest of the day.

The line was finally finished on the 18th and the Divisional and Brigade Commanders were at the battalion headquarters all morning. The men were soon informed that the General Gellibrand. GOC of the 12th Australian Infantry Brigade had fallen ill and was to be replaced by the 48th Battalion’s Commanding Officer. Colonial Leave. Major Allen D.S.O. – an officer who had previously worked with the 48th battalion – took over command on the morning of the 19th.

On the 20th, wires from the fences were removed to make obstacles, though this proved no challenge to the enemy. During the night, enemy planes were very active; only one plane was taken down.

On the Saturday, the men paraded at the Church at 9am before having the rest of the day off; no work was done.

The battalion was expecting to move within the next few days and hence decided not to begin a new Lewis Gun class.

The soldiers spent most of the morning of the 22nd and the 23rd training, moving between Bayonet and musket fighting, and platoon and company drills. A selection of men who had been invalided from the battalion returned in the afternoon of the 22nd and the men played a small game of football in the afternoon of the 23rd.

On the morning of the 24th, the 48th battalion awoke to gunshots; the enemy had attacked brutally and had gained some ground in the process.

The 13th Australian Infantry Brigade joined the troops in attempt to push the enemy back; the battalion gathered their supplies and at 5:20pm began their journey under Lieutenant Stoerkel’s orders to Pont Noyelles. After arrival, the soldiers received news that Villers-Bretonneux had been lost by the English and that the Australian soldiers would stand by ready.

The 26th was spent training and rumours were spread of where the battalion were to move next. Soldiers were informed that they would support the Aubigny Line in Aubigny-sur-Nère, but were later informed that the Aubigny Line was no longer available and hence were ordered to move to the Cachy Switch Line in Villers-Bretonneux; they arrived at 12:25am the next day.

On the 28th, the 48th battalion joined the French soldiers and the 47th battalion; the enemy artillery was irregular and the battalion only suffered 3 casualties throughout the day; visibility was poor during the day but it was at night that both sides were able to attack brutally, with only 1 ally killed and 3 wounded during the battle.

After some convincing of Captain Twining, the battalion relieved the 24th English Machine Gun Company on the 29th April; the enemy was fairly quiet during the day and new posts were dug with minimal rain that fell throughout the night.

Soldiers awoke on the morning of the 30th to the buzzing sound of their allies’ aeroplanes flying overhead. The day was reasonably quiet, with minimal shelling; Lewis Gunners were very active during this time and only one man was killed and 15 were wounded.

Little work could be done on the 1st of May because positions were under close observation and therefore activities were restricted; most of the work was completed at night. Orders came through that the battalion was to attack Monument Wood, France in the early hours of the morning on the 3rd. Consequently, a reconnaissance was made by the Commanding Officer and other patrols. Commanding officers and Company Commanders made a second reconnaissance after a conference at the 45th battalion’s headquarters where they discussed the plan of attack on Monument Wood. Munitions dumps were prepared, containing a variety of equipment including flares, sandbags, bombs, etc.

By 11:30pm, troops made their way to the “jumping off” line and at 1:45am on the 3rd, soldiers were in position.

At 2am, the artillery put down a heavy barrage for 2 minutes – which proved ineffective – and shortly thereafter they launched their attack. The battalion had made arrangements with the French troops and planned a specific method of attack: the B Company on the right were to assault from the south while the C Company on the left were to assault from the north. The A Company was to assault from a south-easterly direction. Shortly after, scouts were to patrol no-mans land and keep it free of the enemy. Tanks were set up in the case of an unexpected enemy attack during or prior to the barrage.

The beginning of the attack went according to plan with no complications, however the enemy did not seem disorientated by the barrage and was ready with machine guns for the oncoming attack.

Just after the advance, C Company fell into trouble; Captain Imlay was badly wounded and thick wire held up the majority of the company. Captain Gunning of the B Company was also killed.

The A Company was able to get through to Sunken Road but unfortunately could not progress any further; the “mopping-up” party had cleaned out the Chateau and some other buildings and had taken prisoners – 2 officers and 20 other ranks. In addition, they had also killed the enemy’s commander.

The battalion had gained a good stretch of land however the enemy had a larger and more superior force that counterattacked, forcing the 48th and 45th battalions to withdraw to the original front line after inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

One tank was successful in attacking the enemy but unfortunately turned over in an enemy trench and the occupants were taken as prisoners.

A total of 9 officers and 150 other ranks were wounded from the 48th battalion; it was during this battle in Villers-Bretonneux, France, on the 3rd May that Bates received a mild gunshot wound to the left arm and chest.

He was invalided on the 4th and admitted to the Lines of Communication hospital for temporary treatment before being transported to the United Kingdom on the 6th May where he was transferred to the Exeter War Hospital in Exeter, England on the 7th.

On October 14th, Bates was sent back to France via Southampton and arrived at the Australian Infantry Base Depot on the 18th October; he survived until he was discharged from the 48th Infantry Battalion on 1st July 1919. He married Freda Irene Trezise in 1922 and lived a happy life before his death on the 23rd April 1974, aged 81. He was buried in the Port Lincoln Happy Valley Cemetery three days after his death.

Medals:

British War Medal; received on the 30th September 1921

Victory Medal; received on the 4th December 1922

Georgina Neville

6–APR–2017