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Pictures courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein (930 Pte. F. Bate, C.I.V.);
1914 Star, with copy clasp (6389 R.Q.M. Sjt. F. Bate. 5/ Lond: R.);
British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. Bate);
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal Ed VII (6389 C. Sjt: F. Bate. 5/London Regt.)

Frank Bate was born in Bethnal Green, London in 1876. A clerk by occupation, he joined the 1st City of London Rifle Volunteers in 1894 and served in South Africa with No. 1 Company, Mounted Infantry, City Imperial Volunteers during the Boer War, and was invalided home in July 1900. Transferring to the 5th Battalion, London Regiment, he was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 103 of 1909. After the outbreak of the Great War, remaining with his battalion and now in the rank of Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant, he served on the Western Front from 4 November 1914. He was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps on 31 July 1915, later receiving advancement to Captain.