VALE TED BATES

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Ted Bates, ex-Royal Navy and a founding member of this website.

Ted crossed the bar on Friday 28 December 2007 and is survived by his wife Mavis. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Friday 11 January 2008 at Pinnaroo Crematorium, Albany Creek, Brisbane.

Ted joined the Royal Navy as a boy rating in the latter stages of World War II, after experiencing the heavy bombing of his home town Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire. Following training Ted spent two years in the Far East and then returned to the UK and married Mavis.

Later he volunteered for the Royal Fleet Reserve and, during the Korean War, was recalled to active service and sent out once more to the Far East, thus clocking up another fourteen months in that area, aboard the destroyer HMS Charity.

Ted and Mavis arrived in Australia in December 1953, following Ted's second demob from the Royal Navy. He spent his working life in Sydney and retired to Brisbane, where he served his local community as Chairman of the Royal Naval Association (Queensland Branch) and Honorary Secretary of the Royal Marines Association Queensland. He was also a member of the RSL for over 50 years, and a Justice of the Peace.

Ted's grandson Aaron advises that though Ted was ill for some time, his passing was peaceful with family and friends by his side.

We extend our condolences to Mavis, Aaron and all Ted's family and friends.

Ted maintained his pride "(in having) worn the same uniform as hundreds of thousands of gallant men, many thousands of whom gave their lives for King and Country." We feel privileged to have known Ted Bates.

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