Family Background

Henry and Arnold were the children of Henry James Bates (born 1857) and Sarah Jane (nee Marshall). Henry was the managing clerk of the solicitors’ firm of Messrs Rodgers and Co who had their offices on Bank Street. He was also a director of a range of companies, including a printing firm and a funeral director.

The family was living on Nether Green Road when Henry Brian was born in 1884[1]. Two other children followed, Constance in 1887 and Arnold Fielding in 1894. Between Arnold’s birth and 1901 the family had moved on to Whitworth Road.

Henry James and Sarah were active members of the community of Fulwood, Henry James is mentioned in the Church Magazine and was at some point a churchwarden. He was a member of the Fulwood Bowling and Sports Club on Slayleigh Lane and for some years was Chairman of the Fulwood Social Guild. Sarah was a member of the ‘Fulwood Army and Navy Society’ during the First World War. The Guild provided children’s parties around Christmas and it is likely that the children were guests and generally incorporated into the life of the church and the Guild.