BATE, Alfred

Alfred Bate was born in Quarry Bank and later lived at 1 Broad Street, Pensnett, with his wife, Mary Ann. He was a member of the Independent Methodists in Pensnett and had possibly served as a regular soldier with the South Staffords. He certainly joined the Colours on the 6th October 1914 without the usual full training. He was soon transferred to the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Gloucesters in the 19th Division. They fought well in several phases of the 1916 Battle of the Somme and in July 1917 they moved to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres. During the second phase they were involved in the important attack on the Menin Road ridge. They formed up in silence in pouring rain and attacked at 5.40 a.m. on the 20th September. All the objectives were gained but at heavy cost and among the killed in action was Private Alfred Bate. He was 31 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot and Pensnett Memorials.