Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1893 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/174, the
youngest son of James & Norah Bates (nee Hargreaves).   Birth registered as
Sydney ('y') Bates - no middle name.

1901 Census - Hale Carr Cottages, Lester Lane, Hale.    Son (listed as
Sydney ['y'] Willoby Bates) - aged: 7 - born: Cheadle.    Head of household
- James Bates - Married - aged: 47 - occ: Blacksmith - born: Altrincham.   
Also Norah Bates - Wife - aged: 47 - born: Budworth, Cheshire.   Plus 4
siblings.   (the only mention anywhere of a middle name of 'Willoby')

Attended St. John's C.of E. School

1911 Census - Carr Cottages, Grove Lane, Hale.     Son - aged: 17 - occ:
Carman - born: Northern Etchells (Wythenshaw area), Cheshire.     Head of
household - James Bates - Married - aged: 57 - occ: Blacksmith General -
born: Altrincham.    Also Norah Bates - Wife - aged: 57 - born: Budworth,
Cheshire.  Plus 2 siblings.  James & Norah had 11 children, two had died by
1911.

Enlisted in 1915.

He had been in a UK hospital recovering from shrapnel wounds.    On his
recovery, he went back to the front in August 1917 and was acting as a
stretcher bearer bringing in the wounded.

Listed as Sidney ('i') Bates by the CWGC.

Death reported in the 18/09/1917 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

Cenotaph states South Wales Borderers, as does the local newspaper.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918, which states
that he was aged 25 and served with the South Wales Borderers.