Bates, John, 1939?-: 'Peter's Reflections' by John Bates

Biography of Peter Bates (1920-1993) written by his nephew, John Bates, and self-published in 2022.

Titled 'Peter's Reflections' and subtitled 'On joining the Taranaki Herald, Going to War, Capture, Escape, Swiss Internment and his later life'.

The book includes transcriptions of Peter Bates' war and later life diaries and letters, copies of photographs, maps, and illustrations. Comprises 25 chapters and 332 pages excluding title page, contents, and index.

The biography covers such topics as Bates' employment at the Taranaki Herald; the declaration of war; his military training at New Plymouth, Waverley, and Trentham; the voyage to and arrival in Egypt; joining the 6th Brigade, 25th Battalion; 2nd Division involvement in the Mediterranean and Syria; his capture and experience as a prisoner of war; his escape to Switzerland; his repatriation to New Zealand; and his life post-war.

Title supplied by Library.

Bates, a journalist from New Plymouth, embarked from New Zealand for the Middle East in September 1941. He was captured in the Western Desert in July 1942 and was sent to a prisoner of war camp in Italy. When Italy capitulated he escaped to Switzerland and was repatriated to New Zealand in December 1944.

John Bates is Peter Bates' nephew and was given copies of Peter's diaries and letters by Peter's children prior to his passing in 1993. He wrote this biography at Peter's suggestion.

Quantity: 1 volume(s).

Physical Description: Hardcover volume bound in blue cloth with gold embossed lettering, 300 x 220 x 25 mm.