Bates seized a Bren light machine-gun and leaving the trench charged, moving forward through a hail of bullets firing at the enemy.

A Bren gunner had been killed next to Corporal Bates, who had immediately seized the machine gun and started firing on the enemy.

The announcement and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in supplement to the London Gazette on 2 November 1945, reading[6] "The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous awards of the Victoria Cross to:— No.

In North-West Europe on 6th August, 1944, the position held by a battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment near Sourdeval was attacked in strength by 10th S.S. Panzer Division.

Half an hour later the main attack developed and heavy machine-gun and mortar fire was concentrated on the point of junction of the two forward companies.

However, the enemy wedge grew still deeper, until there were about 50 to 60 Germans, supported by machine guns and mortars, in the area occupied by the section.

Seeing that the situation was becoming desperate, Corporal Bates then seized a light machine-gun and charged the enemy, moving forward through a hail of bullets and splinters and firing the gun from his hip.

He was almost immediately wounded by machine-gun fire and fell to the ground, but recovered himself quickly, got up and continued advancing towards the enemy, spraying bullets from his gun as he went.

Corporal Bates died shortly afterwards of the wounds he had received, but, by his supreme gallantry and self sacrifice he had personally restored what had been a critical situation.