BATE Claude Malcolm

Claude Malcolm Bate was born on the 14 March 1900 to Harry and Emily Elizabeth (Pattemore) Bate in Central Tilba, NSW.

He was 18 years and 6 months old when he enlisted on 20 September 1918. His Attestation Papers show that he was 5 feet 5 1/2 inches tall, weighed 135 lbs, fair complexion, blue eyes, fair haired and of Roman Catholic faith. His career was listed as Farmers Assistant and his Next of Kin, his widowed mother Emily Bate.

The Australian Military Forces, 1st Military District Enlisting Office contacted Mrs Bate asking for her to sign and return a document so she took the opportunity to make this plea: "Dear Sir, In reference to my boy enlisting. I promised him I would give him consent when he was 18 1/2. Is it possible to keep him in Camp till he is 19, as I do think he is far too young to go. Please let me know if he will be sent off or not, and oblige Your`s faithfully, Mrs. E Bate, Maleny Via Landsborough".

On the day he enlisted, Private C M Bate, Q24377 of "B" Company signed a Statutory Declaration solemnly and sincerely declaring that he was a single man. That his widowed mother was wholly and solely dependent for her maintenance upon the amounts received from him and that she had no other means. That he had continuously maintained her for a period of twelve months before joining the AIF. That she was not in receipt of the Old Age, Invalid, or War Pension.

An Allotment Form and Declaration - 1st Military District authorizing the District Paymaster "to pay on and after 21 September 1918 and during my service in the AIF the sum of 2 Shillings and 6 pence per day to (my Mother) Emily Elizabeth Bate" was signed by Claude.

With Armistice declared on 11 November 1918 Claude never left camp at Enoggera and his mother`s wish was fulfilled. He was Discharged "owing to the termination of his period of enlistment" on 30 December 1918.

Claude Bate married Ivy Ellen Vincent on 16 June 1928. The couple lived firstly at Maleny and then Nambour, Buderim and finally Manly in Brisbane.

Claude and Ivy had at least four children - William, John, Richard and Edmund. Claude died 28 February 1969 aged 68 years. Ivy died 28 September 1988 aged 83 years. They were both cremated and placed at Mt. Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane.

Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Maleny Roll of Honor, Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Bean Street, Maleny

Shire of Landsborough Roll of Honour, Caloundra RSL, West Terrace, Caloundra

Claude Bate is the child centre back of the image. Courtesy Friends of Pattemore House, Maleny
Photo of Claude Bate in uniform supplied by his family