Born Wyton, Hull, on 12th May 1891. Son of George Coates and Eleanor Mason, of 14, Windsor Terrace, Hexham. Son of a Gardener. Brother to Thomas and Elsie Coates. He attended Sproatley Endowed School, Sproatley, Yorks. Served for some time in the Halifax Territorials, joining the 4th West Riding Regiment on 24/03/1911. Emigrated to Australia on 6th June 1913, where he was employed as a gardener. He enlisted at Melbourne, on 24/08/1914, as Private 148. A Company, 5th Battalion, Australian Infantry. Described as 5 foot, 7.5 inches tall, 11 stone, 5 lbs weight, chest size 37-41 inches, blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion, Church of England religion. Embarked from Australia on 21st October 1914. Wounded in the left arm at Sulva Bay, on 25th April 1915. Returned to the firing line on July 1915. Died at Gallipolli, between 9th and 10th August 1915, aged 24 years. Unmarried. His army effects were left to his father.
Commemorated Lone Pine Memorial. 24. His details are recorded in the De Ruvigny Roll of Honour, Volume 1.
His name is also listed on the Sproatley Village memorial. One of 61 men form the Sproatley who served in the Great War, 13 of which died.
