William Robert Bates
- Born 8 November 1876, Riverton, New Zealand
- Died 15 May 1923, Tuatapere, Southland New Zealand
- Last rank Private/Rifleman
- Service number 36845
- Served In Reinforcements J Company, Rifle Brigade, Auckland Regiment
- Next of Kin Mrs E. Bates (mother), Riverton
- Pre-war occupation Labourer for Mr Elliot, Lovells Flat, Milton
- ReligionChurch of England (Anglican)
- Enlisted20 September 1916
- Embarkationaboard MHNZT 75 Waitemata, departed 19 January 1917, disembarked Plymouth, England, 27 March 1917.
- Theatres of operationWestern European 1917-1918.
- Periods of service149 days in New Zealand and two years 121 days overseas, in Western Europe. Total service of two years and 270 days.
- Returned to New Zealandaboard Carpentaria, 19 May 1919
- Discharged16 June 1919 on termination of period of engagement
- AwardedBritish War Medal and Victory Medal
Profile Photo credit: Otago Witness 8 January 1919 via The Onward Project