Llewellyn Herbert Coates

Rank:

Captain

Unit at enlistment:

Canadian Army Medical Corps

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Bowmanville Cemetery, Bowmanville, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Durham

Birth city:

Bowmanville, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

133 Brant Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

133 Brant Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Physician

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX December 3, 1918

Wild Time in Celebrating – Dr. Lyn Coates Tells of Joy Manifested at Boulogne on Signing of Armistice

Dr. Llyn Coates, in a letter written home on November 13, from No. 3 Canadian General Hospital Boulogne, France, says:

November 13, 1918

We have been very busy in the hospital of late, some days operating from 10 and 11 o’clock in the morning until after 11 at night. I have charge of two wards, with 150 wounded men, five nurses and two orderlies to assist with the work. When a fresh convoy of men is brought into the hospital it certainly keeps us hustling for a time, four operations proceeding at the same time in one operating room. The work is interesting, and it is up to us to help the poor fellows to the best of our ability.

We have a splendid staff at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital. On Monday morning there was a great celebration here on account of the signing of the armistice, whistles blowing, bells ringing, the French people and the soldiers parading the streets of the city, yelling, howling, singing, and it certainly was some wild time. I was down town again on Tuesday afternoon, and they were still busy celebrating.

I often take a walk for an hour or perhaps an hour and a half in the afternoon. We quite frequently go down to the harbor pier, and it is quite interesting to watch the fishing fleet coming in with their boats full of fish. Some are already packed in barrels, the rest they shovel into baskets and hoist them up on the wharf. We sometimes take a walk to the near by villages. They certainly are very different in appearance from our Canadian villages. Here they have cobble-stone sidewalks and the houses are built right on the street. In the country the farm houses, barns and stables, also farm yard, are all together. Your front lawn is your barn yard, with all kinds of delightful odors coming in your front door. Very different from our homes in the country around good old Brantford.

I have no idea when I shall reach home, perhaps next summer, or I may be held here for another year.

BX April 11, 1917

Honored Brothers in 215th Battalion – Brant Lodge, A.F. and A.M., Made Presentation to Khaki-Clad Members

A goodly number of Masons turned out to the regular meeting of Brant lodge, No. 45, A.F. and A.M., last evening to do honor to five of their brother members in the 215th Battalion which is slated to go overseas shortly. An excellent address was delivered by R.W. Bro. Rev. G.A. Woodside on “Conditions After the War,” and the manner in which he handled his subject showed that he had given it deep thought. Worshipful Master A.E. Day then called on the military members of Brant Lodge, Brothers Capts. R. Tyrwhitt and L.H. Coates, Lieut. T. Watts, Sergt. Holdsworth and Pte. Betty and presented each of them with a money belt and a parchment. R.W. Bro. Dr. Hanna voiced the sentiments of all the members in a few well chosen words. Light refreshments were served.

BX June 13, 1918

Was Presented to Royal Family

While in London on leave Captain Llewellyn Herbert Coates, medical officer of the 215th Battalion, and son of Mr. and Mrs. D.H. Coates of 133 Brant Avenue, met the King and Queen and Princess Mary, and had a few minutes’ conversation with the King. In a letter home to his mother he describes this and in a newsy manner deals with the other interesting things there. He spend 45 minutes one afternoon in Parliament listening to Lloyd George and Bonar Law talking on the submarine trouble and the Irish question. He describes them both as fine speakers, but quiet and deliberate in their manner. He describes the service at Westminster Abbey and states that all the tombs there are covered with sand bags on account of the Zeppelin raids. During his visit in London he stopped at the Royal Automobile Club. This club has been given over for Canadian officers and is now known as the Royal Canadian Officers’ Club. It is a splendid building, fitted up with everything essential to one’s comfort. It has a splendid dining room, good gymnasium, swimming pool, etc. The letter was dated May 27, and he was spending six days in London. It was on a Thursday afternoon that the royal party visited the officers at the club.

BX September 6, 1919

Dr. L.H. Coates has returned from a short vacation spent in Muskoka, after three years and a half served in the C.A.M.C. Dr. Coates left the city for overseas as M.O. of the 215th Battalion, while in England he was senior medical officer of the 12th Reserve Battalion in Sandling and Witley Camps, and in France was in charge of ten surgical wards in number 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill University Hospital unit), with which unit he returned to Montreal a few weeks ago. Dr. Coates is resuming practice in the city.

BX July 31, 1961

Dr. Llyn H. Coates

Dr. L.H. (Lyn) Coates, a resident of Brantford for most of his life, and widely known in his 50 years of medical practice here, died today at his home, 133 Brant Avenue.

Dr. Coates was born at Bowmanville, the son of the late Daniel H. Coates and Martha Cole.

After receiving his early education in Brantford schools, he graduated in 1911 from the University of Toronto with the degree of medical bachelor.

He was also a graduate of the New York Post Graduate Hospital.

Dr. Coates was a member of the staff of the Brantford General Hospital, past president of the medical staff, a member of the Brant County Medical Association and of the Ontario Medical Association, and a member of Brant Avenue United Church.

He served overseas as a captain in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during the First World War.

Surviving besides his wife are one son, Daniel H. Coates of Weston and a grandson, Byron Herbert Coates of Weston.

Dr. Coates will rest at Thorpe Brothers’ Funeral Home from Tuesday evening until funeral service is conducted on Thursday at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Bowmanville Cemetery.