Background
Bates was born in Wavertree, Liverpool, the second son of Sir Edward Percy Bates, 2nd Baronet. After his father"s death in 1899 he joined the family shipping business, Edward Bates & Sons.
Knight deputy director of Cunard
Bates was born in Wavertree, Liverpool, the second son of Sir Edward Percy Bates, 2nd Baronet. After his father"s death in 1899 he joined the family shipping business, Edward Bates & Sons.
He was educated at Winchester College from 1892 to 1897 and was then apprenticed to William Johnston & Company, a Liverpool shipowners.
In 1910 he became a director of Cunard, becoming deputy chairman in 1922 and chairman in 1930, holding the post until his death. He became a director of the Morning Post in 1924 and chairman in 1930, holding the post until 1937. On the outbreak of the First World War Bates joined the Transport Department of the Admiralty, and later became Director of Commercial Services of the new Ministry of Shipping, responsible for the shipment of civilian supplies.
He was also appointed in 1920 High Sheriff of Cheshire.
In the Second World War he served on the Advisory Committee and the Liner Committee of the Ministry of War Transport. Bates"s only child, also Percy, was killed over Germany in 1945 while serving as a Pilot Officer with the Royal Air Force.
Bates suffered a heart attack in his office on 14 October 1946 and died at his home, Hinderton Hall, Neston, Cheshire, two days later.