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
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