YATES Samuel
24393, Lance Corporal, 24 Battalion, WW2
CITATION
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Gazetted 25 September 1942, Supp 35720, p4207
On 18 April 1941, south of Elasson, Greece, when commanding a forward section when in contact with the enemy Lance Corporal Yates received orders to withdraw. The enemy then advanced with 48 armoured fighting vehicles, and he delayed his withdrawal until his company headquarters had been advised of the changed situation and confirmed his orders to withdraw. On 24 April, during the enemy attack on Thermopylae, his section was surrounded by small parties of the enemy who had dismounted from tanks. During the tank attack he kept his men under cover and afterwards led a party which successfully mopped up the dismounted enemy tank crews. In the period 27-30 April he displayed courage and initiative in leading his section in the vicinity of Kalamata Beach. In spite of unsuccessful efforts to escape he continued the attempts and by his leadership and tenacity succeeded in saving the majority of his men.
Mentioned in Despatches
Gazetted
KNOWN AWARDS
Distinguished Conduct Medal
1939-45 Star
Africa Star
War Medal 1939-45
Mentioned in DespatchesNew Zealand War Service Medal
NOTES
Born 22 August 1905, Parengarenga, New Zealand
Died
THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT
