Prescot Roll of Honour

Corporal John Yates, in a photograph provided by his grandson, also John Yates

Service Details

John was born in September 1880 in Prescot, the eldest son of Henry and Rachel Yates. Henry worked as a Collier. John married Mary Jane Chew at St Mary's Church, Prescot, on 31st December 1904.

He was the brother of James Yates

The 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, had just started its annual training in camp when war broke out in August 1914. It would appear from the information available that John Yates was already a Territorial soldier at this time. As such, he would have attended annual camp for training, and on the outbreak of war the Territorials were called to the Colours immediately, mostly joining the Battalion within a week.

John Yates joined the battalion on 15th September 1914. He gave his age as 34 years and 6 months and recorded that he worked as an Engraver.

Once all troops were present, the battalion was sent to Edinburgh until October, then moved to Tunbridge Wells until February 1915. It was then ordered to France, sailing on the 13th aboard s.s. King Edward. Arriving at Le Havre the same day.

Over the next few days the battalion marched to billets at Le Bizet, and then undertook instruction in trench warfare. The system was for companies from a battalion to be attached to other battalions for spells in the line, before the sector was allocated to the battalion on its own. In addition to the trench duty, the battalion undertook its share of pioneer work and training in rapid fire.

On 15th March 1915, John Yates was appointed Lance-Corporal, an unpaid appointment.

The Battalion was moved around regularly without seeing action, until 28th April when it was moved to Vlamertinghe, Belgium in readiness to take part in the 1st Battle of Ypres, which had started on the 22nd.

On 2nd May, the Germans launched a violent attack, accompanied by a cloud of chlorine gas, and the battalion was moved into the line for the first time. On 3rd May, it was moved to the new line in front of Wieltje, and then on the 4th it was again moved to Shell Trap Farm. At dawn, they engaged the Germans but by 4pm the enemy was within 400 yards of the British lines, from where they began a heavy bombardment of the British lines.

More shell fire continued through the next day, culminating in heavy concentrated fire about 5 p.m. which resulted in a considerable number of men being buried, many of them killed and wounded. The enemy fire continued until midnight and four attempts were made by the Germans to take the farm, but all were repulsed.

At 2 a.m. on the 6th, the Battalion was relieved and moved to La Brique, having incurred considerable casualties.

On the 8th May, the battalion was once more sent up to the Wieltje sector as it was thought that the enemy had broken through, but it proved to be a false alarm and on the 9th it returned to La Brique, leaving 'C' Company and a machine-gun detachment at Wieltje. Early on the 10th, the battalion moved to the bank of the Yser canal where it remained until the 13th, when it was moved back to the support lines.

On 10th May, John was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

It was more of the same throughout the next two weeks of May, then at 3 a.m. on the morning of the 24th, the Germans released the largest cloud of gas seen so far in the war across a wide stretch of the British lines, followed by a large assault force. Their followed almost a full day's desperate fighting, often in very confusing situations, 'B' and 'C' companies occupied French Switch, a trench connecting the British and French troops, but they suffered from very heavy shelling of the trench, which inflicted considerable casualties.

The remainder of the day and all of the 24th was spent in reorganisation and consolidation, also re-establishing contact with the French. The battalion remained in the front line until 1st June, but no serious German attacks were launched after 25th May, although small scale actions continued. Both sides were now exhausted, having been in almost continuous contact for 33 days.

In this period, Sergeant Gordon (25th), Rifleman Pickavance (25th) and Corporal Yates (31st) were all reported as Killed in Action. The fortunes of war denied graves to these men and they are remembered on the Menin Gate.

The War Office wrote to the Army Records Office on 29th November 1915 stating that all personal possessions of Cpl Yates were to be returned to his widow, Mary Jane, at 29, Ward Street, Prescot. On 4th January 1916, his possessions were listed as 'Wallet, Letters, Cards, Imperial Service Badge, 1 Fountain Pen, Disc, Photos'. It isn't clear exactly when they were returned, but on 8th May 1016 Mary Jane wrote acknowledging receipt of the items.

Mary Jane's letter acknowledging receipt of John's possessions.

Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917

John Yates' Medal Index Card, showing his progression from Private to Corporal. His date of arrival in France, qualifying him for the 1914-1915 Star, is listed as 13th February 1915, confirming that he arrived aboard the s.s. 'King Edward'. He was also entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

John Yates' inscription on the Menin Gate.