George Edward Cates

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military person 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.<ref name=cwgc>Cates, George Edward, Commonwealth War Graves Commission</ref> 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.<ref name=VConline/>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

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.{{#if:|

|}}{{#if:The London Gazette, dated 11 May 1917<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>Template:Sfn|

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Cates died of his wounds the next day.<ref name=cwgc/>Template:Sfn Two of his brothers also died during the war.<ref>Cates, Geoffrey, Commonwealth War Graves Commission</ref><ref>Cates, William Frederick, Commonwealth War Graves Commission</ref>Template:Sfn

His VC is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester, England.<ref name=VConline>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn

Cates is commemorated on both the Wimbledon and Richardson Evans Memorial Fields war memorials, and has a plaque at the former.<ref>See Wikimedia Commons pictures at: Photo - War Memorial, Richardson Evans Memorial playing fields Photo - Memorial plaque to Second Lieutenant George Cates</ref>Template:Sfn

Bibliography

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