1884 Born
1915 Mar 17 Landed in Balkans
1918 Apr 17. DCM citation
1920 May 22. Committed suicide at Omagh Military Barracks, shot himself with a rifle. Age 36 . Son of Mrs. M. J. Wilkin (formerly Bates), of Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh
There was an inquest where evidence was given by Corporal Albert V. Coppins 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers that he had been with Bates to the Courthouse in Omagh for a dance there and that they had got back to Barracks shortly before 5am. Bates was said to be cheerful at that time. Serjeant John McDonald, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, said that Bates had gone into the guard room at about 5.55am, about 6am Sgt McDonald heard a shot, went to Bates’s room he found him slumped with his rifle resting on his right arm.
Buried Omagh