YATES, Samuel Harry. CH. WW1. CWGC.

Died 04/03/1919 Age 25. Guardsman, Grenadier Guards, 5th Bn. Service Number 15663. Son of Samuel and Helen Yates, of 43, Madeley St., Derby.

Samuel Harry YATES was born in the autumn of 1893 to Samuel and Helen Yates. His mother Helen already had three children surnamed Cooke from an earlier marriage, all the family being born in Derby. In 1901 the family lived at 30 Stanhope Street, Derby and Samuel Harry YATES attended the Peartree School (Later Hardwick Boys). His mother Helen (recorded as Ellen) Yates died aged 50 on 2 May 1910. By 1911 he was employed at Ley and Company’s iron works as a moulder, now living with his father Samuel Yates and his step-siblings at 43 Madeley St, Derby.

Samuel Harry YATES enlisted in 1912 into the King’s Troop of the Grenadier Guards. On 15 June 1914 he was hospitalised with an inflamed prostate and admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank, returning to duty on 4 July 1914 and at the outbreak of WW1 was sent to France. His funeral report states “he was wounded in October 1914 and he was brought to Sheffield Hospital, where he soon recovered and returned to France. Since that time he received four more wounds, the last one being in August 1918, when he was badly hit in the foot with shrapnel. He was brought this time to Cardiff Hospital, and afterwards transferred to Newport, where he was to undergo an operation, but unfortunately influenza broke out, and he fell a victim.” He died on 4th March 1919, his funeral service was held on Sunday 15th March 1919 followed by burial at Nottingham Road Cemetery. His father Samuel received his personal effects from the army.

Samuel Harry YATES was awarded the 1914 Star Medal and Victory Medal with his name was recorded as “S H YATES”, and also the British War Medal with his name incorrectly recorded as “Samuel Henry YATES”.

Following his death the remaining family continued to live at 43 Madeley St Derby.

Sources: Derby Census of 1901, 1911 and 1921. Register of Deaths in Derby for 1910. Derby School Registers. Baptism Record. Military Medical Record, Medal Records and Register of Soldiers’ Effects. Newspaper articles and announcements.