| Regimental number | 7572 |
| Place of birth | Petersham, New South Wales |
| School | Summer Hill Public School, New South Wales |
| Other training | Technical College, Sydney, NSW |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Address | Petersham, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs E Gates, 176 New Canterbury Road, Petersham, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | Served in 33rd Bn Commonwealth Military Forces as Acting DS Major, Instructional Staff. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Sergeant |
| Unit name | 13th Battalion, 25th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/30/5 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A74 Marathon on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 34th Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Work near Hamel on 8 August 1918. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 24 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 24 |
| Place of burial | Beacon Cemetery (Plot VI, Row G, Grave No. 8), Sailly-Laurette, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 123 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Arthur and Elizabeth GATES, 'Arlington', Greenacre Road, Hurstville, New South Wales |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations against enemy positions south of the SOMME east of HAMEL on 8th August, 1918. Sergeant GATES was a Platoon Sergeant and during the attack on ACCROCHE WOOD was detailed to collect parties who had lost their units in the wood owing to dense fog. This was carried out under very heavy artillery fire, and Sergeant GATES collected some thirty men whom he formed into a platoon and led forward to the left flank of his Company. During the advance he showed conspicuous gallantry in attacking a terrace of dugouts which were defended by a machine gun on their flank. Sergeant GATES rushed this position killing two of the Gunners and capturing a heavy machine gun after severe fighting. He then led the remainder of his men forward and captured over thirty men in the dugouts. With his platoon he greatly assisted protecting the flank of his Company and keeping touch with the Company on his left. He afterwards led his men forward to the final objective, assisted in reorganising his platoon, and returning his men to their proper units. His bravery was outstanding.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Brother: Pte F.J. Gates no. 2410, 1st MG Bn, killed in action. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
