Playing career
Bates played just one game in the VFL. Recruited to the Essendon seconds from Nathalia, he filled in as a wingman replacing Tom Clarke who was ill with the flu, and played his only league game on 6 May 1933, against St Kilda at Windy Hill. In Bates' own words: "I played one game, had one kick and got paid three quid."Oberhardt, MarkUmpiring career
Bates was appointed to the VFL list of boundary umpires for the 1941 season. He made his debut in the round 1 match Footscray versus Hawthorn earning Heritage Number 256. By the end of the season he had officiated in 13 league games. A postal employee by trade, Bates volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 27 January 1942 and was posted to 2 Australian Base Postal Unit St.Kilda. Despite a Melbourne posting he did not return to umpiring that season. In August 1942 he sailed for New Guinea, returning in December 1943. While overseas he contracted malaria for which he was hospitalised on his return. He was discharged from the AIF in June 1944.Bates, Thomas James Edward. NAA: B883, VX73625 Before his death on 6 October 2009, Bates was the oldest surviving VFL/AFL player.References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bates, Jimmy 1910 births 2009 deaths Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state) Essendon Football Club players Nathalia Football Club players Australian Football League umpires People from Nathalia, Victoria Australian Army personnel of World War II Military personnel from Victoria (state) 20th-century Australian sportsmen