Regimental number | 38614 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Bradley, Staffordshire, England |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Labourer |
Address | Buller Street, Prospect, South Australia |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 40.4 |
Height | 5' 5.75" |
Weight | 141 lbs |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Lillie Yates, Buller Street, Prospect, South Australia |
Previous military service | Served for 3 years in the South Australian Infantry Regiment; time expired. |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 32 |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/128/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS Indarra on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Gunner |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 13th Field Artillery Brigade |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | Fate incorrectly entered on Nominal Roll as 'Killed in action, 10 December 1918'. |
Discharge date | |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Somali', 10 December 1918 (age 47 and fractured left wrist); discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Adelaide, 18 May 1919. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal At the time of his AIF enlistment, Yates was a Member of the House of Representatives, although he gave his occupation as 'labourer'. When HT 'Somali' was detained offshore at Semaphore, subject to strict quarantine regulations, Yates became spokesman for disaffected personnel. He was subsequently court-martialled on charges of attempting to incite mutiny, convicted and sentenced to 60 days' detention. In 1920 the Assistant Minister for Defence suggested in Parliament that Yates had not performed the duties expected of him as a soldier: the charge was found to be baseless, and Ryrie subsequently apologised. In 1923 a Select Committee awarded Yates £200 for damage to his reputation. He remained in Parliament until his defeat in the 1931 election. |
Sources | NAA: B2455, YATES George Edwin |