Born in 1889 at South Woodford, son of Frederick (Corn Salesman) and Susannah King. 1901: A Scholar living with his family at 2 Springfield Villas, Fullers Road, South Woodford. 1911: An Organist, Choirmaster and Teacher of Music, boarding with retired Farmer Frances Knights at Dunmow, where he was involved with the Parish Church. When this Old Bancroftian was admitted to the HAC Infantry Battalion at Armoury House, he was the organist at St John’s Church Southend on Sea, living there in the Vicarage. By 27th April 1917 his parents were living at "Crosby" Grove Hill, South Woodford. He was embodied on 4th October 1915, transferred to 1st Battalion on 2nd March 1916, and deployed from Southampton to France on 3rd March 1916. He arrived in the lines during 16th March.
On 13th November 1916 the Battalion attacked Beaucourt as part of the Battle of the Ancre. Advances were made, but they were halted by heavy German fire from the front and rear. They were ordered to attack again on 14th November 1916 at 06.00, to take Beaucourt and the “red” line objective beyond. By coordinating their advance with other units in the face of withering German machine gun fire, they managed to reach the “red” line. Stacey Bates was admitted to 22 Casualty Clearing Station that day with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, right arm and right foot. On 24th November 1916 he was admitted to 13 General Hospital Boulogne but could not be saved, dying there from his wounds at 19.30 on 7th December 1916. Although they had achieved their objectives, casualties reduced the effective strength of the Battalion to that of a single Company, with just four 2/Lieutenants remaining from the Officer ranks.
He is also remembered on the Borough War Memorial, St John the Baptist, and Priory Park Rolls of Honour at Southend, and at Great Dunmow.
Research by Adrian Lee, local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
For more information on this individual please see The Old Bancroftian website.