Private G/18003 Albert John Bates of the 13th Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment, born at Ebony, Kent, the son of Charles Ernest. (1868-1936), and Mary Elizabeth Bates, (born 1867), of Lime Court, Beckley, East Sussex.

The 1911 census records Albert as an apprentice for a corn merchant, and was living with his parents and family at Lime Courts, Beckley. Head of the family, Charles was a farmer and grazier, aged 43 and born at Ebony in Kent; his wife, Mary, also aged 43 was born at Beckley. The couple had been married for 20 years and had produced five children, all of whom had survived childhood. Also, recorded on the census were son Clarence, aged 9 and Mable, aged 7. There were two servants, Mabel Brunger, aged 23 and born at Rolvenden and Nelly Fuggle, aged 20 and born at Tenterden.

He enlisted at Hastings and was killed in action at Becourt, France, on the 3rd of September 1916; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and on the inside of the Lychgate to Beckley church, along with his brother Ernest. 

His Medal Index Card gives his original service number as 3790 and that he entered his theatre of service on or after 1st January 1916. 

The commemoration panel in the Lych gate was placed there by the parents of Albert and Reginald. It was "Erected by Ernest Bates and Elizabeth, his wife, of Lime Court, in loving memory of their two sons Albert John who died at Hamel [sic] 3rd of September 1916, aged 23 and Reginald Ernest who died of wounds at Arras 19th April 1917, aged 20 and as a grateful tribute to our fighting men of all arms who gave their lives for freedom in the Great War"