Sidney Bates

Sidney Bates VC (June 14, 1921 - August 8, 1944) 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.

He was the son of Frederick (a rag and bone man) and Gladys May Bates, of Camberwell in London. He joined the Royal Norfolk Regiment in 1940 after it had returned from Delhi.

He was 23 years old, and a corporal in the 1st Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 6 August 1944 near Sourdeval, France, when the enemy had penetrated deeply in the area occupied by his section, Corporal Bates seized a light machine-gun and charged, moving forward 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 He still went on firing, however, until his strength failed him, but by this time the enemy had withdrawn and the situation had been restored.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 two days later.

The Norfolk's position was under attack by the 10th SS Panzer Division. The final costs of fighting around Sourdeval for the Norfolks was 160 casualties out of 550. The recommendation for the award was made by Major Cooper-Key, the commanding officer of B Company of the Ist Battalion. The recommendation was turned down initially but Cooper-Key persevered. According to Sgt George Smith the battalion had been on the march when they had come under fire. A Bren gunner had been killed next to Corporal Bates, who had immediately seized the machine gun and started firing on the enemy.

The official citation in the London Gazette stated "Corporal Bates, by his supreme gallantry and self-sacrifice, had personally saved a critical situation".

His grave is in the Bayeux War Cemetery, Calvados, France. (Reference XX. E. 19)

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Royal Norfolk Regiment Museum, Norwich England the trustees having purchased it for £20,000 in the 1980s.His was one of 5 VC's won by members of the Royal Norfolks during the Second World War.

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)