South Staffordshire War Memorials

Francis William Yates

Francis William Yates was baptised at Bishops Wood on 15th April, 1880, the son of Francis William Yates, Gentleman and farmer, and his wife Annie. The family lived at 'The Wood', Donington, Salop. He was educated at Brewood Grammar School and Hereford Cathedral School and then joined his father in managing the family farm. His younger brother, William Walter, became a lawyer.

Francis married Mildred Alice Hatton in October, 1909. The couple lived at Hollis House, Albrighton, where Francis gradually took over his father's responsibilities on the local Board of Guardians and the Shropshire County Council.

Francis served for several years with the Pattishall Rifle Corps and later with the Reserve Battalion of the Yorkshire Light Infantry. On the outbreak of war he was attached to the 2nd YLI, going to the Front in November, 1914. He was struck by a shell fragment while engaged at Hill 60 near Mons on 18th April 1915 and died from his wounds in hospital at Boulogne on 25th April, 1915. He is buried in the churchyard of St Cuthbert, Donington, Albrighton.

Captain Francis William Yates, Kings Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914 Star with clasp.

FUNERAL OF CAPT. F. W. YATES, OF DONNINGTON. The funeral of Capt. F. W. Yates, of Hollis House, Albrighton, whose death occurred at Boulogne from wounds received in action on the 25th ult., took place at Donnington, Albrighton. on Thursday. Capt. Yates, who was in the 2nd Batt. Yorkshire Light Infantry, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Yates.of the Wood, Codsall Wood. He was formerly a member of the Shifnal Rural District Council and of the Shropshire County Council. He was well known and highly respected in the Albrighton district, and there were many outward manifestations of sorrow at the loss relatives and friends had sustained by the gallant officer's death. [Staffordshire Advertiser 01 May 1915]