Queens South Africa Medal clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Tranvaal official engraved naming LIEUT H J L OAKES W RID RGT.
Henry James Lionel Oates born in India on 30th April 1879 the Son of Lt Col Orbell Henry Oates of the Worcestershire Regiment. He went to Rugby School and was in the Militia - 3rd Infantry Battalion Loyal North Lancaster Regiment in 1898 before joining the Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment in May 1899 aged 20 years old as a 2nd Lt.
He was posted to the 2nd Battalion to be sent to Burma but just before leaving he transferred to the 1st Battalion and was sent to South Africa landing on 20th Jan 1900 at Cape Town. He was made a Lt on 25th Feb 1900 and was wounded in action on 29th Nov 1900 at Rhenoster Kop when the regiment lost its commanding officer Lt Col Lloyd was killed. He was mentioned in dispatches in the LG 10th Sept 1901 and as a result of his wounds went on half pay 15th July 1902 and retired on 15th July 1907 and was retired at least till April 1920 as he took no part in WW1 due to his injuries.
Two of his brothers were killed in WW1 - Captain Orbell Oakes Yorkshire Regiment in March 1915 and Lt Robert Claude Oakes Royal Artillery attached 80 Squadron RFC in July 1916.
