Born in South Australia, the second son of Sidney Yeates and Dymphna Maria (née Cudmore), he moved to Queensland with his parents in 1863[1] or 1868.
[2] The family settled on the Don River at Bowen, Queensland, where they engaged in farming and grazing.
[2] Yeates, after contending with droughts and low prices on the land, entered into business at Miles for some 10 years.
The company engaged in transporting wool from the Far West to the rail head at Roma and carried station supplies on the return journey.
[3] Helen was a sister of Clara Elizabeth "Lily" Blackett ( – 9 October 1952) who married Albert's brother Walter Cudmore Yeates (1869–1952).