CHARLES A. BATES was born on January 9, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mary and Allen Bates. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on January 13, 1951 and reported for duty on January 16th. By 1956 he was living at 2731 Sherman Avenue in Camden's Cramer Hill section. Charles A. Bates later moved to 832 North 34th Street, where he lived as late as the fall of 1977.

Charles A. Bates was promoted to Captain on August 1, 1961. On April 3, 1970 he was promoted to Battalion Chief. After 30 years of distinguished service to the City of Camden, on February 1, 1981 Charles Bates retired. He had, by this time moved to 1632 43rd Street in Pennsauken, New Jersey, where he made his home  until his death on September 10, 1983.

Charles A. Bates is fondly remembered by his brother firefighter, retired Battalion Chief James McMaster, for his "Charlie Batesisms", two of which are “Here all night for your delight” and “Two story frame bursting in flame; bust in, bust up and bust out”.