15th Battalion, Australian Infantry (Australian Army)
Date Of Birth:
24/10/1893
Died:
15/10/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
23
Summary
Thomas Gates was a son of John and Rebecca Gates. He was born on 24th October 1893 at Derrymeen, Coalisland. Around 1914, Thomas emigrated to Australia. He was 21. He worked as a farm labourer. He enlisted at Kingaroy, Queensland on 21 Sept 1915. Private Thomas Gates was posted to the 15th Battalion of the Australian Infantry. On 15 October 1917 Private Gates was reported wounded in action. On 20 December 1917, after previously being reported wounded, Private Thomas Gates was now reported as killed in Action. Private Thomas Gates was killed in action in Belgium on 15th October 1917.
Further Information
Thomas Gates was a son of John and Rebecca Gates. John Gates and Rebecca Williamson were married on 5th May 1882 in the district of Dungannon.
Thomas Gates was born on 24th October 1893 at Derrymeen, Coalisland. He was one of at least twelve children, nine surviving, all born in the Coalisland area.
The 1901 census records 7 year old Thomas living with the family at Tartlaghan, Drumaspil, Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer
Known family: John Gates, Rebecca Gates, William John Gates (born 24th July 1882), Samuel Gates (1st December 1883), Rebecca Gates (born about 1890), Matthew Gates (born about 1892), Thomas Gates (born 24th October 1893), Robert Gates (born 10th November 1895), James Gates (born 27th December 1897), Margaret Gates (born 1st May 1900), David Gates (born 28th November 1901), Alexander Gates (born 17th January 1905).
By the time of 1911 census, Thomas no longer lived with the family. The family now lived at Corrainy, Drumaspil, Tyrone. It's possible he was working as a servant for the Douglas family at house 1 in Tulnagall, Crossdernot, Tyrone (see references).
Around 1914, Thomas emigrated to Australia. He was 21. He worked as a farm labourer.
1915
He enlisted at Kingaroy, Queensland on 21 Sept 1915. Private Thomas Gates jaws posted to the 15th Battalion of the Australian Infantry.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 23rd September 1915: Dungannon Men at the Dardanelles (Matthew Gates – brother of Thomas Gates)
The relatives of Private M Gates, 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers, who is at present at the Dardanelles, have received a letter from him stating that he is at present in good health and asking to be remembered to all his old friends.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th September 1915: Private Gates well (Matthew Gates – brother of Thomas Gates)
Private Matthew Gates, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who formerly resided at Coalisland, and volunteered with the U.V.F. men at the outbreak of the war, in writing from the Dardanelles says:- ‘Just a few lines hoping to find you all well at home. I am getting along well here and would like to tell all the folk that I was asking about them.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th November 1915: Private Matthew Gates (brother of Thomas Gates)
Private Matthew Gates, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing from the eastern front to his sister at Park Road, Dungannon says he is well and hopes all are well at home. He has not received any of the parcels yet, but as soon as he gets them he will let them know. He heard from Tom who has enlisted also.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th December 1915: Private Samuel Gates (brother of Thomas Gates)
Private Samuel Gates, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing from the western front to his relatives at Park Road, Dungannon, says he is getting on quite well and wishes to be remembered to a number of his friends, whom he mentioned by name.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th December 1915: Private Gates in Serbia (brother of Thomas Gates)
Private Matthew Gates, 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his parents at Park Road, Dungannon says:-
‘Just a few lines to let you know I am well. You can tell Mrs Chambre I received her parcel alright, and I am very thankful to her for sending it. We have left the Dardanelles and are now in Serbia, having a go at the Bulgarians. The weather is very cold here, and there is plenty of rain. It is very bad country, and there is nothing but hills all around us. I have met lots of old chums, and have been speaking to Johnny MacKay, William Erskine and Bob Taylor. Bill Rea and Bob Sandes are also here, but Tommy Proctor is not out, and I don’t know where he is. I hear that Tom (Gates) has enlisted in the Australian contingent, and in the last letter I had from him he says he is doing well.’
1916
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 6th July 1916: (brothers of Thomas Gates)
Two sons of Mr John Gates, Milltown, Dungannon, are also in hospital suffering from wounds – Private Samuel Gates, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers), being in hospital in London, while his brother, Private Matthew Gates, Inniskilling Fusiliers, is in hospital in Salonika. These casualties apparently occurred prior to the ‘big push’ as the intimations are dated 30th June.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 8th July 1916: Dungannon Volunteers Wounded (brothers of Thomas Gates)
Mr John Gates, Milltown, Dungannon, has received intimation that his son, Private Samuel Gates, of the 9th Inniskilling (Tyrones) has been wounded in action, and is in hospital in London. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war with a lathe number of the Dungannon Battalion U.V.F. His brother, Private Matthew Gates, of the 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, is still in hospital in Salonika, suffering from wounds received some time ago, while the third brother, Thomas Gates, of the Australia Expeditionary Force is on active duty at Salonika.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916: (brother of Thomas Gates)
Private Samuel Gates, Tyrone Volunteers, returned to Dungannon suffering from shell shock sustained during the fierce bombardment prior to the advance in France.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 20th July 1916: (brothers of Thomas Gates)
Private Samuel Gates, Tyrone Volunteers, has returned home to Milltown, Dungannon suffering from shell shock.
On 24 September 1916, Thomas marched to Etaples from England. By 2 October, he had joined up with the 15th battalion.
1917
On 30 May 1917, he was admitted to Wimereux Australian General Hospital with influenza. He was transferred to England where he was admitted to Northampton War Hospital On 23 July 1917 he was discharged from hospital.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 6th June 1917:
Private Thomas Gates, Australian Infantry, son of Mr Matthew Gates, Brooke Street, Dungannon, wounded.
From the Tyrone Courier dated Thursday 7 June 1917:
Private Thomas Gates, Australian Infantry, who has been wounded and in hospital in Northampton, is the youngest of the three soldier sons of Mr Matthew Gates, Milltown, Dungannon.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 12th July 1917: Wounded (Private S Gates - brother of Private Thomas Gates)
The following local men are officially reported wounded:- Company Sergeant Major G Belshaw, Private S Gates, Private W Millar (Stewartstown), Private W Moore, Corporal S Proctor (Coalisland), Private G McCauley, Sergeant G McKinstry, Private R A Montgomery (Coalisland), Private T Scott, Private S Hegarty, Sergeant W J Caddoo, Private J Brittian (Aughnacloy).
By the 5 September 1917, he was back in France again. On the 22 Sept 1917 he re-joined 15th battalion.
On 15 October 1917 Private Gates was reported wounded in action. On 20 December 1917, after previously being reported wounded, Private Thomas Gates was now reported as Killed In Action.
Private Thomas Gates was serving with the 15th Battalion of the Australian Infantry when he was killed in action in Belgium on 15th October 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 14th November 1917:
Private Thomas Gates, Australian Imperial Force, died of wounds, son of Mr John Gates, 19 Brooke Street, Dungannon. Two other sons of Mr Gates are on active service.
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 15 November 1917:
Mr John Gates, 19 Brooke Street, Dungannon, has received official intimation that his son, Private Thomas Gates, Australian Imperial Force, has died of wounds received in action. This soldier had emigrated to Australia and volunteered on the outbreak of war. Mr Gates' other two sons, Matthew and Samuel, are serving with the colours.
His next of kin listed as his father, John Gates, whose address was given as Perry St, Dungannon, but lasted updated to 19 Brook Street, Milltown, Dungannon.
His mother was listed as the recipient of his War pension.
Private Thomas Gates is buried at Divisional Collecting Post Cemetery Extension, north-east of Ypres in Belgium.
Private Thomas Gates is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
The CWGC record Private Thomas Gates as the son of John and Rebecca Gates of 19 Brook Street, Dungannon, Ireland.
