Introduction

In 2014 the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, Cumnock History Group began researching the names on the Cumnock War Memorial plus other men and women with Cumnock connections mentioned on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or in the Cumnock Chronicle of the time. The research is not limited to those who died but also to men and women who served, using family history information.

The group would like to appeal to individuals with knowledge of family members for photographs of the soldier, either in uniform or not, and photos of medals or other memorabilia eg letters sent home from the Front. If you would be prepared to share these on this site, please email the web manager info@cumnockhistorygroup.org The group is willing to share any copies of documents found with the soldier's descendants.

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Abraham Yates

Abraham Yates was born in Dalmellington on 26 Jul 1891 to Samuel Yates and Jeanie Ferguson Hyslop. He is my second cousin, twice removed.

His service record survives.

He enlisted in the RSF, 5th Btn  for a term of 4 years in 31 May 1913 in Catrine as a bandsman, service number 6949.  He was a miner, 21 years old, 5ft 6in tall with a chest measurement of 38 in. He seems to have spent most of his service in the RSF but was in the 12th Btn the Royal Scots when he fell in France in 1918.
His parents brothers and sisters were all living at Market Place, Auchinleck in 1920 when his father had to fill out a list of his family. He wasn't married. He was 26 when he died.



Cumnock Connections tree

1901 census
1 Greenock Mains, Auchinleck
Samuel Yates 39 coal miner b England
Jeanie Yates 35 b Cumnock
Helen Yates 14
Abraham Yates 9
James Yates 8
Samuel Yates 5
William Yates 4
Joseph Yates 2 b Auchinleck
Ann Yates 1 Mo
b Auchinleck
rest born Dalmellington

In 1891 the family was at 33 Benquhat, Dalmellington
Samuel Yates             29
Jeanie Yates             25
Helen Yates             4

Corporal Abraham Yates 12th Btn Royal Scots  270338 killed in action 19 Apr 1918

CWGC

His medal card does not mention his RSF number and I would have thought he was entitled to all three medals. Anyone know?

He is on the Tyne Cot Memorial in France and his grave is in Auchinleck Cemetery.


3 comments:

  1. Abraham Yates. Was my papa's uncle although my papa did not know him as he was in 1921. My papa's dad was William Yates married to Jenni Wyper who came from Sorn. My mother is Meryle Yates

    ReplyDelete
  2. Abraham Yates. Was my papa's uncle although my papa did not know him as he was in 1921. My papa's dad was William Yates married to Jenni Wyper who came from Sorn. My mother is Meryle Yates

    ReplyDelete