Name
Arthur David Abbiss
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/10/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
153350
Canadian Infantry
43rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT
VII. A. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Died for King and Country
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hatfield memorials, Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Arthur was born in Hatfield (possibly Mill Green) in 1st February 1892 and his parents were Arthur William and Rosina Abbiss (nee Hornett).
By 1901 Rosina had died, the family were living at 45 Masham Street, Armley, Leeds and the family consisted of Arthur (father and widower, Railway Signalman aged 32), Bertha R (11), Arthur D (9). Reuben A Abbiss (1) and housekeeper Rose E Stapleton (27).
In 1911 they were living at 20 Armley Park Rd Armley Leeds Arthur Wm Abbiss , working as a Railway Signalman. He had married his housekeeper, Rose, some 9 years before – meaning that Rosina had died between 1891 and 1902. The rest of the family were listed as Bertha Rosina, Arthur David, now a Railway Telegraphist, Reuben Albert; Evelene Frances (8), Leslie Gordon (5) and Fred Wm George Lock who was boarding with them.
In 1912 Arthur (junior) emigrated to Canada embarking from Liverpool on the Victorian on 15th Mar 1912 and arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 23rd Mar 1912.
Before the war Arthur was a Station Agent. He enlisted 22nd July 1915 in Winnipeg when he was 23 years and 5 months. He was recorded as of dark complexion with Brown eyes and hair and was 5’ 7” tall. His religion was given as Methodist. At that time his father was living at 5 Nunnington Terrace, Armley, Leeds. Later his father’s address was recorded as 27, Bedford Street, Hitchin.
Wartime Service
He served in the 43rd Battalion (Cameron Highlanders) of the Canadian Infantry in the 9th Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division and held the Service Number 153350.
Between 8th and 10th October 1916 Canadian Battalions were engaged in hard fighting for the German held Regina Trench in the area approximately one mile north of Thiepval. They entered the trench but were forced out.
The location at the time of his death was recorded as Somme, battalion in trenches R.23.b.1.5. ro R.24.a. Sheet 57 d.S.E
He was buried in Plot VII, Row A, Grave 4 in the Regina Trench Cemetery in France. A private inscription on the headstone reads "Died for King and Country".
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
