HENRY COLLESTER OATES Attested into the Royal Natal Carbineers on the 16th of August 1940. He was 42 years and 9 months of age and had already served with the 4th South African Horse and was on the R.A.F. Reserve!!!!

We have 14 Pages of Photostat Copies of his Records from the Pretoria Records Office. His Four Medals are all named to him......747 H.C. OATES......Note the very low number which is fairly unique.
"Quartermaster's Comment":- This is a very interesting group. He came from Hidcote in Natal......was born on the 20th of November 1897......was a British/South African and gave his calling as 'Mining'. He arrived at Nairobi by Road on the 3rd of June 1941 and was posted to the 6th Armoured Car Regiment. He must have returned to the Union for further training as he was at the 'Reservist Depot' of the South African Tank Corps at Kafferskraal from the 19/9/42 to 1/12/42. He could well have been there under its Commanding Officer Reeves-Moore along with Harry Oppenheimer!!! He transfered to the Durban Fortress Commander at the Point Yacht Club in Durban on the 4th of December 1942!!! Being now a bit on the old side......He did not go back up North but left the Army by way of "Discharge by Purchase" at the age of now 45 on the 4th of June 1943......Having done his bit. He was noted as having served in the Middle East and East Africa and being of 'Very Good' all round Character and Efficiency. All round a very nice group.