Claro Times – 27th March 1915

Photos – Corporal John Coates and Lance Corporal F Coates are sons of Mr F Coates, Tower Street, Harrogate, [Frederick Coates, cab proprietor, 5 Tower Street] and members of a family which is well represented in the West Yorkshire Regiment. The former is with the 4th Battalion, at Penzance, Cornwall, and the latter with another portion of the same battalion at Fort St Anthony. A cousin, James Baker, is with the 5th West Yorks, at Mabelthorpe, and an uncle, Mr T Baker, is serving with the 2/5th Battalion, at Matlock. Mr John Baker, senior, [John Baker, cab proprietor, 35 Tower Street] who is one of the oldest cab proprietors in Harrogate, has thus a son and three grandsons in various battalions of the county regiment.

Harrogate Herald - 17th November 1915 and 1st December 1915

The following write : "I am quite well. I have received the papers (Harrogate Heralds). letter follows at first opportunity, or express thanks for the Harrogate Herald" :

Sergeant J Coates

Harrogate Herald - 13th June 1917

W H Breare letter

You will be pleased to hear that Sergeant Fred Coates, son of Mr Fred Coates, of Tower Street, Harrogate, and nephew of Mr J Baker, our fire engine driver, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. His brother, Sergeant John Coates, you will remember, is a prisoner in Germany.