| George Edward Cates | |
| Birth Date: | 9 May 1892 |
| Birth Place: | Wimbledon, London, England |
| Death Place: | Bouchavesnes, France |
| Placeofburial: | Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu |
| Allegiance: |  United Kingdom |
| Serviceyears: | 1914–1917 |
| Rank: | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit: | Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) |
| Battles: | World War I |
| Awards: | Victoria Cross |
Second Lieutenant George Edward Cates VC (9 May 1892 – 9 March 1917) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Cates was born on 9 May 1892 to George and Alice Ann Cates, of Wimbledon, London, the seventh of nine children.[1] After attending Rutlish School in Merton, he worked as a clerk for an insurance company.
In December 1914, four months after the outbreak of the First World War, he joined the 28th London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles), and went to France in August 1915. He was later commissioned second lieutenant.
He was a 24 years old second lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), British Army, during the First World War, and was awarded the VC for his actions on 8 March 1917 at Bouchavesnes, France.
Cates died of his wounds the next day.[1] Two of his brothers also died during the war.[2] [3]
His VC is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester, England.[4]
Cates is commemorated on both the Wimbledon and Richardson Evans Memorial Fields war memorials, and has a plaque at the former.[5]
