George Edward Cates

Do-Gooder
Full Name	George Edward Cates
Alias	Mr. Cates Lieutenant Cates
Origin	No information
Occupation	Insurance company clerk Soldier
Skills	Military combat techniques
Hobby	No information
Goals	Help save lives in WWI
Family	Alive Ann Cates (mother) George Cates (father)
Allies	Members of the British Expeditionary Force
Enemies	German Army
Type of Hero	British Heroic Soldier

George Edward Cates (May 9, 1892 - March 9, 1917) was a British soldier who was killed in the First World War after sacrificing himself to save the lives of other soldiers. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, a military medal considered the most prestigious award for bravery in the British Armed Forces.

Biography

Cates was born in London, England to George and Alice Cates. His peacetime job was clerk at an insurance company, and in his spare time he was a member of the Christian youth organisation YMCA. Cates was also an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Second Wimbledon Scout Troop.

Following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Cates enlisted in the 28th London Rifle Regiment as a signaller on December 8. He later transferred to a different regiment, and was deployed into the field in August 1915. Cates fought in the war over the next three years, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in February 1917, at age twenty-four.

In March 1917 Cates' regiment captured a German trench. On March 8 Cates and several other soldiers were ordered to dig out the bottom of the trench to make it deeper, so that it would be harder for the enemy to hit the soldiers in it. While digging, Cates discovered an unexploded bomb that had somehow been buried under the trench. The bomb was inadvertently triggered and began burning, meaning that it was about to explode. Cates immediately covered the bomb with his foot, containing the blast to protect his fellow soldiers. This resulted in Cates being caught in the explosion and suffering extremely serious injuries, but thanks to his actions nobody else was harmed.

Cates was taken to a field hospital immediately, but died of his injuries on May 9. He was buried at Hem Farm Military Cemetery in France.

As reward for his bravery, Cates was posthumously granted the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that British soldiers can receive. The VC was presented to his father George Cates on June 2, 1917. Cates was also posthumously presented with the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914-15 Star.

Trivia

• The original VC presented to Cates was destroyed in a fire in 1951. A replacement was provided and is currently stored at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester.