Our People - John Abram |
15 April 1917 |
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#63781 Private John Abram
105th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps 35th Division Killed in action 15 April 1917 age 40 Vermand Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France. Ref: A.2. Son of Andrew and Ann Abram, of Leyland, Lancs; husband of Edith Burton Abram, of 14, Lodge Bank, Brinscall, Chorley, Lancs. INSCRIPTION: "UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY" John Abram was born in Leyland c. 1877 to Andrew and Ann Abram. In civilian life he was a cotton weaver and was married to Edith Burton Abram. John and Edith had been married for 7 years at the time of the 1911 census and had three children in total, Andrew (4), Ellen Burton (3) and Clarice (3 months). By the time of John's death, a fourth child had been born. Edith and the children were all born in Heapey and the family lived at 14 Lodge Bank in Brinscall.
John served with the 105th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C., who formed part of the 35th Division from November 1915 to November 1918. This division was unusual in the fact it was comprised mainly of 'Bantams', that is troops that were under the normal minimum regulation height of 5 feet 3 inches. John was serving with the 35th Division when he was killed 15 April 1917. His chaplain wrote to Edith to inform her that he had died when going to the advanced line to pick up the wounded and had been killed along with the driver of the ambulance van and their horses when a German shell burst. His Captain wrote to say that John was 'one of the best men in the ambulance' and was well liked by the officers and men. He was buried with full military honours in the village of Vermand. John was awarded the Victory medal and the British War Medal. The register of soldiers' effects shows that his widow was awarded a War Gratuity of £7. 0. 0. together with John's effects of £4. 7. 2.
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