Pte Cyril Charles Scoats, 90044, Royal Army Medical Corps, was lost at sea when the troopship SS Arcadian was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the Greek island of Milos in the Aegean Sea on April 15th, 1917. A total of 279 lives were lost, including another Lutonian, Pte Stanley Glenister R.A.M.C., as the converted cruise liner with 1,335 soldiers and crew on board sank within six minutes on a journey from Thessaloniki to Alexandria in Egypt.

Cyril Coates, aged 21, was the son of William and Elizabeth Scoats, of 70 Burr Street, Luton. He joined the R.A.M.C. in October 1915, having previously been employed in the straw trade by G. Harmer and Co, of Adelaide Street and Waller Street.

Prior to his enlistment, Pte Coates was a member of the Luton No 2 Salvation Army Corps and band, and he was the first of the 25 bandsmen to died on active service. A memorial service for him conducted by Brigadier Deans from headquarters was held at the Salvation Army Hall in Manchester Street on May 13th.

Three other Lutonians on the Arcadian were rescued from the sinking ship - two brothers named Holdstock, from Holly Walk, and Pte Parsons, of Hastings Street.