George Edward Cates
Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consort's Own)
- Register No.
- 195 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consort's Own) (register: Prince Consort's Own (Rifle Brigade)) all Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) VCs →
- Date of action
- 8 March 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 11th May 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 8th May 1892 at Wimbledon, Surrey
- Died
- 9th March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Hem Military Cemetery, France; in Wimbledon Church and on The Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral
Digest of citation
On 8th March 1917 east of Bouchavesnes, France, Second Lieutenant Cates was engaged with some others in deepening a captured trench when his spade struck a buried bomb which immediately started to burn Without hesitation he put his foot on it and it immediately exploded. This act cost him his life, but saved the lives of others with him
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CATES, George Edward. (reg No. 195).
Second Lieutenant 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. (Prince Consort's Own).
London Gazetted on 11th May 1917.
Born on 8th May 1892 at Wimbledon, Surrey.
Died on 9th March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France.
Memorials at Hem Military Cemetery, France; in Wimbledon Church and on The Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: On 8th March 1917 east of Bouchavesnes, France, Second Lieutenant Cates was engaged with some others in deepening a captured trench when his spade struck a buried bomb which immediately started to burn Without hesitation he put his foot on it and it immediately exploded. This act cost him his life, but saved the lives of others with him.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Hem Military Cemetery, France; in Wimbledon Church and on The Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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