Robert Henry Coates (1890-1917)
South Shields man served with 18th DLI killed at the battle of Arras
Robert Henry Coates was born between April and June 1890 in South Shields. His father, Edward Coates was born in Wath in Yorkshire and worked as a bricklayer. His mother, Susannah Coates, nee Fawkes, was born in Carlisle.
The 1911 census shows Susannah had ten children in total, eight of whom were still alive in 1911. Robert had three brothers and four sisters. From service records there is a suggestion that Robert’s older brother Edward was no longer alive in 1919.
In 1911 Robert’s occupation was listed as a bricklayer, although he wasn’t working at this time. When he joined the army in 1916 he was working as a barman. His two brothers were working as miners.
Robert attested to the army on 14 November 1915 at the age of 26. On enlistment he joined the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI). He joined the force in France on 2 December 1916. He was posted to the 18th Battalion DLI on 13 December 1916 and joined this battalion in the field on the 23 December. He served as a private with the service number 30756. Robert was killed in action 3 May 1917 during the battle of Arras.
Robert received the British war medal and the Victory Medal for his service which were sent to his father. He is remembered on the Arras memorial and in the book of remembrance at the church of St. Michael & All Angels in South Shields.
Civil Parish: South Shields
Birth date: 1890
Death date: 03-May-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 55 Stevenson Street, South Shields (1901 and 1911 census)
Employment: Bricklayer (1911 census)
Barman (service record)
Family: Parents: Edward Coates, Susannah Coates (nee Fawkes)
Siblings: Sarah E Coates, Mary Coates, Edward Coates, Henry Coates, William Coates, Ruth Coates, Margaret Coates (1981, 1901, 1911 census)
Military service:
Attested 14 November 1915
3rd battalion DLI
Transferred to 18th battalion DLI 13 December 1916
Private
Service number 30756
Medal(s): British War medal
Victory medal
Memorial(s): Arras memorial Bay 8
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 D.L.I. Cathedral, Ref: D47.013b April to June
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 St. Michael & All Angels, South Shields Ref S86.086
Gender: Male
Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham
