Pte 17036 Ernest Glyndwr Abrahams

• Age: 29
• From: Bootle, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 22nd May 1916
• Commemorated at: La Neuville Cc Corbie
  Panel Ref: A.36

Ernest was born on 17^th March 1887,  the sixth of ten children born to Isaac, a foreman in a cotton warehouse, and his wife Eliza Wilson (nee Spence) who married at St Jude's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool in March 1876. They had eight sons  and two daughters. 

On the 1891 Census the family are living at 59 Salop Street, Kirkdale. Father Isaac is a 45 year old cotton warehouseman, mother Eliza W. is 35 years of age, children William J. is a 14 year old post office boy, Henry W. aged 12 is also a post office boy, John S. 10 is scholar, Isaac R. 7 scholar, Eliza C. 5 scholar, and Ernest G. 4 (all born Liverpool).

In 1901, together with their seven youngest children, they lived at 5 Clare Road, Bootle, having previously lived at 59 Salop Street, Everton. Their eldest son, William James, born in 1877 died in 1904, whilst their youngest son Llewellyn was born in June 1899 sadly died aged 1 in June 1890. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 5 Clare Road Bootle. Ernest's father, Isaac, is aged 65, born in Liverpool in 1846 is a cotton porter, whilst his mother, Eliza Wilson is aged 55, born 1856 in Liverpool as were their children. They have been married for thirty five years and have had ten children of which two had died. Those listed in the household on the Census are; Eliza Christina aged 25, born 1886 no occupation, Ernest Glyndwr aged 24, born 1887 occupation shipping clerk, Ethel May aged 19, born 1892 is employed as a typist clerk, Annie aged 17, born 1894 is a provisions clerk and Harold Pennart aged 15, born 1896 is a bank clerk. They have a boarder named Mary Duffy aged 46, born 1865 a seamstress born in Salford. 

Ernest enlisted in Liverpool on 31^st August 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 17036. He gave his age as 27 years 168 days, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his parents, 5 Clare Road. He is described as being 5'6 and a half inches tall, weighed 127lbs and had red hair. He had a fresh complexion,  with grey eyes and red hair. He stated his religion as Protestant.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He arrived in France with the 4^th Company, 18^th Battalion on 7^th November 1915 and earned all three medals. On 21^st May 1916 Ernest was wounded in action and transferred from a Field Ambulance to 21^st Casualty Clearing Station, where he died at 05:30 hours, 22^nd May 1916 from a gunshot wound to his skull aged 29.  

SDGW says that he was killed in action on 22^nd May 1916.

He now rests at La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Corbie, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE"

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916, but burials were also made in the communal cemetery. Most of them date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. The communal cemetery contains 186 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The graves form one long row on the eastern side of the cemetery.

Reports on his death appeared in the local press.

Liverpool Evening Express 06th June 1916

A CUNARD EMPLOYEE.

Word has been received in Liverpool of the death at the front while out with a working party of another member of the Cunard Company's clerical staff in

the person of Private E.G. Abrahams, of the King's (Liverpool Regiment). At the outbreak of war Private Abrahams, along with a large number of the office

staff, joined one of the "Pals" battalions. For some 15 years Mr. Abrahams had been employed in the engineering department at the company's Derby-road

office, and upon joining the forces was selected by his colleagues to act as secretary of the staff in the particular battalion for the purpose of keeping in

touch with the office at home. Ample opportunity was thus afforded for demonstrating his ability as an organiser, while his helpful and cheerful disposition

under all conditions and attention to his duties makes his loss keenly felt by his comrades at the front. Mr. Abrahams was connected with the Unitarian

Church in Bootle, and was widely known and respected in the borough.

Bootle Times 09th June 1916

ONE OF THE "PALS."

CUNARD STAFF LOSE A GALLANT COMRADE.

Pte. Ernest Abrahams, 5, Clare-road. Bootle, who joined the Liverpool "Comrades" shortly after war broke out, was killed by machine gun fire at the

southern end of the British line on May 22nd, when out with a working party. He was a highly respected member of the Cunard office staff. His death

comes with peculiar poignancy, as he was the first member of the Cunard staff connected with the "Comrades" Battalion to fall.

Pte. Abrahams, who was 29 years of age, was a valued member of Bootle Free Church, Stanley-road.

The following letter from the Chaplain, the Rev. C.F. Wearmouth, gave some comfort to the sorrowing parents:-

"You will probably know by this time that your son, Pte. E.G. Abrahams, of the King's Liverpools, died this morning of wounds. He was buried to-night     in the village cemetery near by. His comrades of the King's attended, and also a party from the C.C.S. A record of the place and day of death will be kept,   and  it will be easy to find the cemetery in later months. A cross is erected upon the grave, and his name, number, regiment, and date of death are written   thereon.

I herewith enclose you some flowers I plucked from the cemetery; perhaps they may afford a little comfort in these sad days. I hope you will find strength to carry your sorrow and may God sustain you and bless you. The knowing that your son has died for his country, and that his death will not be in vain, may bring you consolation. His friend told me today that his loss will be greatly felt in the Battalion, he was such a good soldier. I hope God will be near you in these sad hours, and may you realise much of his presence".

It will be seen from out Church Notices on Page 7, that a memorial service will be held at the Bootle Free Church on Sunday morning next, at 11 o'clock, when the minister (Private the Rev. W. Short, Inns of Court O.T.C.), will preach.

His father died, shortly after Ernest, in the September quarter of 1916, aged 71. 

His mother died in the March quarter of 1920, aged 65.

Ernest Glendywr Abrahams is commemorated on the following local memorials

Bootle Civic Memorial

Bedford Road Council School, Bootle

Cunard Steam Ship Co. (Plaques)

Cunard Steam Ship Co. (Roll of Honour)

Free (Unitarian) Church, Bootle Parishioners 

Pension to mother Eliza Wilson Abrahams

Probate of his estate was obtained at Liverpool by James Eccles, a bank clerk. His effects were valued at £97 18s 3d (£9,500 at current values.)
Abrahams Ernest Glyndwr of 5 Clare Road, Bootle, Lancashire Private 18th battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment died 22 May 1916 in France. Probate Liverpool 1 July to James Eccles bank clerk. Effects £97, 18s. 3d. 

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