Name
George Abbiss
8 February 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/03/1920
40
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
202803
Bedfordshire Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DUNSTABLE CEMETERY
E. 177.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
“JESUS GRANT THAT WE MAY MEET THERE, ADORING AT THY FEET”
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
George was born on 8 February 1880 in Hitchin and christened on 2 February 1883 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were Jesse and Ann (sometimes Annie) Abbiss, they married in Hitchin in 1867. (Ann is believed to be Sarah Anne née Hailey(*1)).
In 1881 the family were living at 10 Taylors Cottages, Old Park Rd Hitchin. Present were both parents: and, with Jessie (35) working as a labourer and Ann (Annie, 34) as a washerwoman. Their children were: Elizabeth , although only 14 was working as a domestic servant, Jessie (12), John (10), Arthur (8), Emma (5) and George (1). All the family were recorded as born in Hitchin.
George’s father, Jesse died in 1887. Subsequent records for the family in the 1891 and 1901 have been scarce, so it seems the family may have moved away or split up, although no workhouse records have been found so far.
From the records that have been found in the 1891 census it appears that both John and Arthur, now 20 and 18, had joined the Army. George was in the Boys Farm Home, East Barnet, East Barnet, Herts. - this was an industrial school for destitute boys (Certified under the Industrial Schools Act). It had a farm consisted of 48 acres, mostly pastureland but potatoes, hay and onions were also grown. The boys did simple agricultural work in the fields and the garden, as well as tending the livestock, pigs, poultry and dairy cows. The farm had watercress beds and bunches were sold locally by the boys, and a herd of dairy cows produced milk which was sold by the boys from a cart. They had two or three rounds a day; the afternoon round being referred to
locally as the ‘pudding’, or ‘rice pudding’ round. Sports were actively encouraged
In 1901 the only likely record found so far, is for Jessie Abbiss, who was married to Alice with 2 children and living on 31 Pondwicks Road, Luton
George married Elizabeth Mary Parker on 29 July 1906 in Edlesborough, Bucks. and by 1911 they were living at 109 High St South, Dunstable, Beds. Present were both George (30) and Elizabeth, recorded as Mary (25) and they had 2 children Leslie (George Leslie) aged 4 and Ethel Hannah aged 1, and then, sometime later another son Jack.
Wartime Service
George enlisted on 30 November 1916, and it is believed to have been into the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and had served overseas, but later served in the 11th Battalion.
The 1918 Absent Voters List recorded George’s home address 66 High Street South, Luton, gives his battalion as the 5th, so presumably he was transferred after that was produced.
He was with the 11th Battalion when he was discharged from service on 20 June 1918 and was issued with a Silver War Badge (no 429051) on 15 July 1918. The reason for his discharge was “Transferred to Class. PT.T.F.Res Age 38 1/3 years.”
Class P and P(T) Army Reserve were categories for soldiers whose services were deemed more valuable in their civilian jobs than in the army, but who had also incurred disabilities or met service length requirements for a disability pension.
He died later, on 26 March 1920, of chronic nephritis.
Additional Information
His pension cards record Elizabeth Mary Abbiss as his widow and as his next of kin, living at 66 High Street South, Dunstable, Beds. It also records their children as (b ) and (b ).She/He was awarded a pension of 6s 6d a week from 13 May 1919.
His widow ordered a personal inscription which reads “JESUS GRANT THAT WE MAY MEET THERE, ADORING AT THY FEET” while living at thew above address.
George’s photograph (currently waiting for permission to use) is believed to have been taken in 1918 at the wedding of an Albert and Lillian Blake – Albert was also a soldier.
*1 Ann is believed to be Sarah Anne née Hailey, however a Mary Ann Gray was married on the same day, but we think to Richard Collins.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
