Leatherhead War Memorials- WWI - L/Cpl George Albert Abell, Royal West Surrey Regiment

George Albert Abell is listed as serving in the 'Queen's' in the Parish Magazine of May 1915¹.

He died in the King Edward Hospital, Windsor, aged 22, on 26 January 1921. His address on his death certificate² is given as Princess Alice's Home, Slough and his occupation as 'ex-army'. In other words he could have been only 16 when he enlisted and had already been medically discharged.

The May 1916 Parish Magazine states that George Abell had been wounded serving with the 1st Bn. Queen's.³

His sister, L[ily] Abell, of 3 Mansion Cottages, Church Street, Leatherhead, was present at his death, which was attributed to an 'old gun-shot wound' which had brought about a form of paralysis and cardiac failure.

Sources
1. Parish Magazine of St Mary & St Nicholas, Leatherhead, May 1915, via Mr L Anstee
2. Death Certificate, copy issued by the General Register Office 21 Jan 1992 No. 049801
3. Parish Magazine of St Mary & St Nicholas, Leatherhead, August 1916

According to the CWGC he was a Lance Corporal and was in the 6th Bn., The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regt.). His service number was L/11000. He was the son of the late [sic] William and Caroline Abell, of Church Street, Leatherhead.

In the 1911 Census, the Abells were living in a four-roomed cottage - Iron House, Cherkley Court, Leatherhead:

William, 63, was a Farm Labourer, born at Stillington, Yorkshire
Caroline, 52, had given birth to 5 children, one of whom had later died. She was from Westminster, London.
John, 15, was a Van Boy in the Corn Trade, born in Effingham.
George, then aged 12, still at school, was born at Downside, Cobham.

In the 1901 Census the family had been at Bulwick Farm, Cobham. George's brother Philip was then aged 9 and his sister Lily was aged 7. Both were born at Horsley.

The Q.R.W.S Regimental Roll shows George was Attested on 27th April 1915 at Guildford, aged 18y 3m and was a Gardener. His father's address was given as 3 Mansion Cottages, Church Street, Leatherhead, the same address as for George's sister Lily when George died in 1921. His original service number was 6076488.

The 1st Bn War Diary records that on 13th February they moved from BEUVRY to trenches in [location] A1. On 19th Feb 2 killed 10 wounded - there had been shelling. On the 24th Feb 1 wounded (died later). [WO/95/2430/1]

The Surrey Mirror, Friday 10th March 1916 listed the 1st Bn Royal West Surrey wounded, among whom was 11000 Pte. G. Abel [sic].

George Abell is buried in LEATHERHEAD (SS. MARY AND NICHOLAS) CHURCHYARD in the East part.

In the same issue, p12: Mr. and Mrs. Abell and their family wish to thank their friends for all the kindness and sympathy shewn to them in their great bereavement.

LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI

L/Cpl George Albert Abell
6th Bn Royal West Surrey Regiment

Town Memorial P7.R1.C1

Taken, Not Given

Pte
George Abell
Royal West Surrey Regt
Jan 26 1921

Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS

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