The AIF Project

George Edwin YATES

Regimental number38614
Date of birth14 May 1871
Place of birthBradley, Staffordshire, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressBuller Street, Prospect, South Australia
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation40.4
Height5' 5.75"
Weight141 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Lillie Yates, Buller Street, Prospect, South Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 3 years in the South Australian Infantry Regiment; time expired.
Enlistment date30 October 1916
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 32
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/128/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS Indarra on 26 November 1917
Rank from Nominal RollGunner
Unit from Nominal Roll13th Field Artillery Brigade
FateReturned to Australia 10 December 1918
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)Fate incorrectly entered on Nominal Roll as 'Killed in action, 10 December 1918'.
Discharge date18 May 1919
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.
SourcesNAA: B2455, YATES George Edwin

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