George Edward Cates
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Second Lieutenant George Edward Cates VC (9 May 1892 – 9 March 1917) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Template:Sfn
Cates was born on 9 May 1892 to George and Alice Ann Cates, of Wimbledon, London, the seventh of nine children.[1] After attending Rutlish School in Merton, he worked as a clerk for an insurance company.Template:Sfn
In December 1914, four months after the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the 28th London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles), and went to France in August 1915. He was later commissioned second lieutenant.[2]Template:Sfn
He was a 24 years old second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), British Army, during the First World War, and was awarded the VC for his actions on 8 March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France.
Citation
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For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench this officer struck with his spade a buried bomb, which immediately started to burn. 2nd Lt. Cates, in order to save the lives of his comrades, placed his foot on the bomb, which immediately exploded. He showed the most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing the act which cost him his life, but saved the lives of others.
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Cates died of his wounds the next day.[1]Template:Sfn Two of his brothers also died during the war.[4][5]Template:Sfn
His VC is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester, England.[2]Template:Sfn
Cates is commemorated on both the Wimbledon and Richardson Evans Memorial Fields war memorials, and has a plaque at the former.[6]Template:Sfn
References
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- ↑ a b Cates, George Edward, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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- ↑ Cates, Geoffrey, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ↑ Cates, William Frederick, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ↑ See Wikimedia Commons pictures at: Photo - War Memorial, Richardson Evans Memorial playing fields Photo - Memorial plaque to Second Lieutenant George Cates
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Bibliography
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- Pages with script errors
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- 1892 births
- 1917 deaths
- People from Wimbledon, London
- Rifle Brigade officers
- Artists' Rifles soldiers
- British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British military personnel killed in World War I
- British Army personnel of World War I
- British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
- People educated at Rutlish School
- Military personnel from the London Borough of Merton
- Territorial Force soldiers