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  -  28th March 1917

Harrogate and District men who are serving with the Colours at the Front, and are in the Herald list to receive papers every week.

Sergeant Fred Coates

Harrogate Herald - 9th May 1917

Letters

Acknowledging the Herald, Sergeant F Coates says : 

I can tell you it is quite a treat to keep in touch with Harrogate and its doings, although we are miles away from it, and that through the medium of your paper. We are having lovely weather conditions just at present, and it makes me feel the desire to be at home and having a stroll through the good old Valley Gardens and Pine Woods. I haven't seen my cousin again since we left home, but hope to come across him again very shortly. Wishing you and your paper the very best of luck.

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.

Harrogate Herald - 20th June 1917

W H Breare letter

Owing to his boat, which was an auxiliary, having been torpedoed, my mariner friend Noble, of Crab Lane, Bilton, is home on ten days' leave, preparatory to joining another vessel. He is very well, and was glad to know his old chum Sergeant Coates had got the MM. He was looking forward to seeing his friend Private Beer, of the Canadians, who had been wounded, but was coming to England. Since I saw him last Noble has had plenty of adventures, but I cannot tell you anything about them.