Sidney Bates
Corporal, The Royal Norfolk Regiment
- Register No.
- 61 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- The Royal Norfolk Regiment all Royal Norfolk Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 6 August 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 2nd November 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 14th June 1921 at Camberwell, London
- Died
- 8th August 1944 at Sourdeval, Normandy.(Died on of wounds)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Bayeux War Cemetery, France
- Medal held by
- the Royal Norfolk Regiment Museum
Digest of citation
On 6th August 1944 near Sourdeval, North West Europe, when the enemy had penetrated deeply in the area occupied by his section, Corporal Bates seized a light machine gun and charged, moving forwards through a hail of bullets. Although wounded twice he was undaunted and continued firing until the enemy started to withdraw before him. At this moment he was wounded for a third time mortally. He still went on firing, however, until his strength failed him, but by this time the enemy had withdrawn and the situation had been restored. He Died on two days later
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BATES, Sidney. (Reg. No. 61)
Corporal The Royal Norfolk Regiment London Gazetted on 2nd November 1944 VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Norfolk Regiment Museum Born on 14th June 1921 at Camberwell, London.
Died on 8th August 1944 at Sourdeval, Normandy.(Died on of wounds)
Memorial at Bayeux War Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 6th August 1944 near Sourdeval, North West Europe, when the enemy had penetrated deeply in the area occupied by his section, Corporal Bates seized a light machine gun and charged, moving forwards through a hail of bullets. Although wounded twice he was undaunted and continued firing until the enemy started to withdraw before him. At this moment he was wounded for a third time mortally. He still went on firing, however, until his strength failed him, but by this time the enemy had withdrawn and the situation had been restored. He Died on two days later.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Bayeux War Cemetery, France
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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