| Player: | WC Oates |
OATES, William Coape.
Amateur.
Born at Besthorpe Hall, Nottinghamshire, 7th July 1862.
Died at Lincoln, 20th February 1942.
The son of W.H.C. Oates, of Langford Hall, Newark, Nottinghamshire, who was the hon secretary of the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. He was educated at Harrow 1876-80 and went on to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He played in five first-class matches, four of them for Nottinghamshire, but most of his cricket was played in military matches. He joined the Munster Fusiliers, served in the Burmese War 1885-7 (medal and 2 clasps) and in the Boer War (medal and 2 clasps) where he was severely wounded. He retired as Captain in 1902 and was J.P. for Nottinghamshire. Recalled to service during the First World War he retired as Lieutenant-Colonel, D.S.O.
There is no trace of him in the 1881 Census - presumably he is in Ireland. His father is a visitor at Muskham House, North Muskham, Nottinghamshire, the home of George M.L. Egerton, age 43, an Army Major, his wife and three young daughters. William H.C Oates is aged 45, born at Oxton, Nottinghamshire, a magistrate and land owner. There are seven domestic servants.
(Article: Copyright © 2003 Don Ambrose)