John William Leslie Yates
1893–1954
Born: Jul-Aug 1893 · Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Died: 25 Nov 1954 · Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
Married: 1918 · Victoria, Australia
Family
- Father
- John Yates
- Mother
- Margaret (Maggie) Molloy
- Spouse
- Hazel Irene Soundrey
- Children
- John William Henry Yates
Biography
Served in World War I. Mother wrote a letter to the military on his behalf.
Sources & Records View on Ancestry ↗
Australia WWI Service Records 1914–1920
Electoral Rolls
City Directories
Mother’s letter page 2: Margaret Yates appealed for Private John William Leslie Yates’ discharge, giving address 15 Young St, Fitzroy, Melbourne.
AIF attestation paper for John William Leslie Yates, 27 Oct 1915
Australia WWI Service Records 1914-1920, Ancestry image downloaded 2 Jun 2026; asset john_william_leslie_yates_1893_australia_wwi_service_records.jpg
- Joined/enlisted 27 Oct 1915.
- Born Bendigo, Victoria; age 22 years 5 months.
- Occupation miner; unmarried.
- Next of kin: mother Margaret Yates, 18 Wattle St, Golden Square, Bendigo.
- Stamped discharged; detailed discharge annotation is not fully legible on this page.
Photos
Documents & Records
Mother's letter to military (page 1)
✅ Remarkable handwritten WWI-era letter from Margaret Molloy Yates to Camp Commandant
Transcription
150 Young [St?], [City?] To Camp Commandant Sir I beg to appeal to you for my Son's discharge from the Military Forces. Who [has] now been transferred to the Liverpool Camp, Sydney with the Miners Corp. I am a widow with five children to provide. One of them being delicate also myself. My other son who was my sole support is now at the front & I cannot make ends meet with what he has allotted me & in consequence I am getting into financial difficulties. Seeing the position I am in he does not now want to leave me & he would be more contented to receive his discharge & help me [continues on page 2]
Key facts
- Margaret (Maggie) Molloy Yates writing to Camp Commandant for son's discharge
- Son transferred to Liverpool Camp, Sydney — Miners Corp
- She was a widow with five children, one delicate
- Another son already at the front
- Written from "150 Young St" — likely Bendigo
- Husband John Yates died 2 April 1913
Mother's letter to military (page 2)
✅ Handwritten second page of Margaret Yates/Molloy appeal for her son John William Leslie Yates discharge; high-value family source.
Transcription
to keep my home together. Trusting you will give this appeal every consideration & relieve my present anxiety. I am Sir yours etc. Mrs Margaret Yates, 15 Young St, Fitzroy, Melbourne. My son’s name that I am appealing for his discharge is Private John William Leslie Yates.
Key facts
- Margaret Yates appealed for discharge of Private John William Leslie Yates.
- She gave her address as 15 Young St, Fitzroy, Melbourne.
- The letter explicitly says she needed him “to keep my home together”.
AIF attestation paper for John William Leslie Yates, 27 Oct 1915
✅ Genuine and useful — AIF attestation/service record page for John William Leslie Yates.
Transcription
Australian Imperial Force attestation paper for service abroad. Stamped DISCHARGED. Name: John William Leslie Yates. Joined on 27 Oct 1915. Born in the parish of Bendigo, near the town of Bendigo, county of Bendigo, Victoria. Natural-born British subject. Age: 22 years 5 months. Trade or calling: miner. Apprentice: no. Married: no. Next of kin: mother, Margaret Yates, address 18 Wattle St, Golden Square, Bendigo. Civil conviction: no. Previously discharged with ignominy or as incorrigible/worthless: no. Prior military/naval service: no. Rejected as unfit: no. Vaccination/inoculation against smallpox and enteric fever: yes. Declaration signed John William Leslie Yates, 27 Oct 1915. Several top-page discharge/admin annotations are present but not fully legible from this image.
Key facts
- John William Leslie Yates enlisted/joined the AIF on 27 Oct 1915.
- Born at Bendigo, Victoria; age 22 years 5 months at enlistment.
- Occupation: miner.
- Unmarried at enlistment.
- Next of kin: mother Margaret Yates, 18 Wattle St, Golden Square, Bendigo.
- The page is stamped DISCHARGED; exact admin note requires a clearer/related service page.
Australia WWI Service Records 1914-1920, Ancestry image downloaded 2 Jun 2026