Benjamin Moates

A Private with the 1st Battalion, Benjamin died on 29th of October 1917 at the age of 38. 

Benjamin was born at Catton, Norwich in 1879, a son of Benjamin and Agnes Keturch Moates. In 1881 his family lived at Philadelphia Cottages, Norwich, and in 1891 their address was 115 Philadelphia Lane, Norwich. In 1892 Benjamin was summoned for throwing a stone at a neighbour and fined two shillings and six pence. By 1895 the family were living at Haddiscoe. 

Benjamin was working as a labourer when he enlisted in the Army at Bury Saint Edmunds on 13 November 1895. Benjamin was serving in the 3rd Militia Battalion Suffolk Regiment at the time. Benjamin joined the regular battalions of the Suffolk Regiment. He claimed to be nineteen years old. Benjamin was posted to the 1st Battalion on 7 December 1895, and to the 2nd Battalion on 14 February 1898. From 10 April 1897 he served in Malta. On 27 December 1897 he was imprisoned, for fourteen days, due to misconduct. Benjamin went to India on 15 February 1898, and to the 1st Battalion in South Africa on 14 February 1902, to take part in the latter stages of the Boer War. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal. Benjamin returned to England on 29 September 1902 and was transferred to the Army Reserve on 13 November 1902, being finally discharged on 12 November 1907.    

By 1911 Benjamin was living with his widowed mother at 1 Station Cottages Herringfleet, and he worked as a chemical manure labourer at a manure manufacturer. 

On 11 December 1911Benjamin married Lily Gertrude Woods at Saint Mary’s Church, Ditchingham. Benjamin was a labourer living at Saint Olaves, Herringfleet, and Lily lived at Ditchingham. Later Lily lived at Saint Olaves.

Benjamin volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Great Yarmouth. He joined the Norfolk Regiment, service number 3/10232. He was posted to the 1st Battalion and arrived in France on 21 April 1915. 

Benjamin was wounded, but there is no record of when, how, or where this took place. He was evacuated to Lijssenthoek, which was the base for several Casualty Clearing Stations, and he died of his wounds on 29 October.