Name
Horace Edmond Abington
1877
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/07/1917
40
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
54304
Devonshire Regiment
13th Works, Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HOSPITAL FARM CEMETERY
D. 21.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Cheshunt memorials
Pre War
Horace Edmond Abington was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, in 1877, son of Leonard Joseph Abington, a Licenced Victualler and Selina Elizabeth Abington (nee Edmonds). One of four children, Albert Edward (B 1876 – D 1877), Leonard Joseph (B 1881), and Ernest Herbert (B 1883 – D 1884).
1881 Census records Horace aged 3, living with his Grandparents John Edmonds (63), a Carpenter and Eliza Edmonds (67) at, 5, Buckingham Terrace, Springfield Road, Edmonton, London/Middx.
His mother Selina died in 1886, aged 35.
1891 Census records Horace aged 13, still living with Grandfather now a widower in, Berwick Road, Walthamstow, London/Essex. His cousin Clara Abington (19) is recorded as their House Keeper.
Horace married Ellen Rose Durham the daughter of John and Hannah Dunham of Sudbury, Suffolk, in Christchurch, Hampshire, in April 1900.
1901 Census has Horace and Ellen living at, 58, Union Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, his occupation is given as a Pork Butcher.
1911 Census Horace and Ellen are still living in the Portsmouth area at, 63 Queens Street, Portsea, Portsmouth, His occupation is given as a Meat Surveyor and Sausage Maker, they have no children.
Wartime Service
Horace enlisted at Portsmouth, Hampshire, posted to the 13th (Works) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (Formed in Saltash, in August 1916, later moved to Plymouth, and in April 1917, it became the 3rd Labour Battalion) with the service number 54304, later transferred to the 121st Coy. Labour Cops, with the service number 140322.
Horace served on the Western Front; he was killed in Action on 22 July 1917. He is buried in the CWGC Hospital Farm Cemetery, located about 4 miles West of Ypres, Belgium.
Additional Information
His effects of £2-14s-3d, Pay Owing and his War Gratuity of £4, went to his widow Ellen. It is believed Ellen emigrated to Sydney, Australia. SDITGW Records “formerly 18342 Dorset Regiment” but not record was found to confirm this.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
