Allegiance United Kingdom Role Armed force officer Awards Victoria Cross Name George Cates Service/branch British Army | Battles/wars World War I Battles and wars World War I Rank Second Lieutenant | |
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Buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu Unit The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) Died March 8, 1917, Bouchavesnes-Bergen, France Similar People Timothy O'Hea, Victor Buller Turner, Sidney Woodroffe, Cecil Noble, William Nash | ||
Place of burial Hem-Monacu, France | ||
George Edward Cates VC (9 May 1892 – 8 March 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Cates was born on 9 May 1892 to George and Alice Ann Cates, of Wimbledon, London.
He was 24 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), British Army during the First World War, and was awarded the VC for his actions on 8 March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France during which he was killed.
Citation
For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench this officer struck with his spade a buried bomb, which immediately started to burn. 2nd Lt. Gates, in order to save the lives of his comrades, placed his foot on the bomb, which immediately exploded. He showed the most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in performing the act which cost him his life, but saved the lives of others
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum, Winchester, England.