W E Yates (1897 – 1915)

The Bridgnorth Journal of 16th October, 1915 carries the following under the heading ‘A Worfield Soldier Killed’:

Mrs Fryer, of Hallon, Worfield, has received the following news of the death of her soldier son in Flanders :- “Dear Mrs Fryer – I expect you have heard before this reaches you the very sad news that Private W E Yates, No 17367, 1st King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, was killed in action on September 30th. I am writing to tell you how deeply I sympathise with you in your sadness. I went up to take the funeral just behind the trenches near ---, but it was a very noisy night and they could not get his body out of the trenches before I was obliged to return. He was laid to rest by the Rev. --- on the following morning in --- cemetery. I can only hope and pray that God will comfort your heart and that you will feel proud to know that he has done a very fine thing in giving his life for such a splendid cause – Yours faithfully, S. M. W. Chaplain to 1st K.S.L.I.”

William Edgar Yates was born in Rugeley, Staffs. Was the son of William Yates of Colton, Rugeley and his wife Agnes (later Fryer). He served in the 1st Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action in the Ypres Salient on 30th September, 1915. He is buried in La Brique Cemetery No.2 to the North-East of Ieper.

Private Yates, 17367, was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 1915 Star.