These have always been in the family, they relate to the war service of J.Bates. Mother never told us anything them. There is no service record, and we don't know where J. Bates was born. We presume he joined up in 1914, and perhaps before, given the Mons Star Medal. The sweetheart badge belonged to Ellen Withers (Ellen Bates), the mother of the contributor. Editor notes: James Bates (born 1876), from Horwich near Bolton, served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (regt number 200146), after enlisting on 3 August 1914; he was awarded the Military Medal (MM).
