109699 Sgt Arthur Walter Yeates was born in Brighton, Sussex, England, on 21st December 1895.
It is recorded that on 7th March 1909, Arthur arrived into Portland, Maine, USA, on the Dominion, a "Barnado's Boy" sent overseas for a better chance in life. In the 1911 Census for Simcoe South, Ontario, Canada, he is listed as a 15 year old farm servant to the Campbell family, earning $200 per year.
When Arthur signed up, he was a single farmer, and listed his next of kin as Mrs Annie Yeates, his mother back in England. He attested in Toronto on 27th November 1914, making him amongst the original intake for the 4th CMR, being assigned to 'A' Company in the process.
Marrying Harriet Ambrose on 6th March 1915, the couple had one child, a daughter, Dorothy Margaret in March 1916, before Arthur went overseas, and another, a son, Douglas a few years after returning home.
Having survived the regiment's obliteration on 2nd June 1916, Arthur was made Acting Corporal on 8th June but was hospitalised due to exhaustion in late September. However, returning to service Arthur was made full Corporal in March 1917 and Sergeant in the following May.
In July 1917 it was recorded that Arthur had been awarded the French Croix de Guerre for "Distinguished Services rendered during the course of the Campaign.", under London Gazette Entry 30184, page 7097, of 13th July 1917. Whilst specific details of what this was for are not available, it is noted that the original award was applied for whilst he was still a Corporal (between March 1916 and May 1917).
Returning to Canada on the S.S. Lapland, Arthur embarked at Liverpool on 3rd April 1919 and arrived at Halifax on the 10th. He was discharged from service on 12th April 1919 in Toronto.
Arthur's health was not good upon his return from war and sadly he passed away 21st August 1930, aged 34. He lies at rest in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto.
Biography credit: David Kavanagh