Lorraine Gabbitas
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Lorraine Gabbitas was born in 1885 at Newark and was the son of William Gabbitas a plumber and Elizabeth Gabbitas née Wilson of 21, King St., Newark. His father William was born in 1848 and died in 1896 aged 49 yrs , his mother Elizabeth Wilson was born in 1851, they married in 1868 their marriage was recorded in the Newark Registration District, they had a large family Lorraine married his wife Harriett Holberry on 11th April 1914 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Newark and they went on to have a son Lorraine born 23rd August 1915 they lived at 111, Tunnard St., Grimsby. Following his death his widow Harriet was granted a pension of 22 shillings and 11 pence for herself and her child to commence 31st October 1918.
Regimental Sergeant Major Lorraine Gabbitas, enlisted on 18th January 1904 at Newark, he enlisted to serve 3 yrs with the colours and 9 yrs in the reserves, he was aged 19 yrs and 1 month he served with the Sherwood Foresters ( Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment. He served at Singapore from 4th November 1905 to 11th December 1906 and then went to India where he served until 14th March 1912. He returned to England where he served until 30th June 1915 when he joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli on 1st July 1915 and was promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant on 23rd September 1915. He was admitted on 30th October 1915 to hospital at Sulva Bay,with enteric fever. Transferred to St David Hospital at Malta on 5th November 1915 and was invalided back to England on 30th November 1915 aboard the Hospital Ship Letitia. Following his recovery he embarked from Folkstone on 4th August 1916 for the Western Front and on 6th September 1916 was promoted to Sergeant and joined his unit 10th battalion Sherwood Foresters in the field on the same day. He was killed in action on 23rd March 1918 having no identified grave his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He had served for 14 years and 65 days.
His nephew Private Tom Gabbitas was called up for service on 16th October 1916 at Newark, he was 19 yrs and 151 days old, his address was 4 Barratts Yard, Mill, Gate, Newark, his next of kin was his father Henry of the same address, his occupation was that of a labourer. He was posted on 19th October 1916 to the 2nd battalion Royal Scots Regiment. He landed in France on 7th October 1917 and joined his unit in the field on 14th October 1917. Whilst serving with 'B' Coy he was killed in action on 4th May 1918 and is buried at Sandpits British Cemetery, Fouquereuil, Pas de Calais, France. Article published 13th April 1918 in the Newark Herald :- Son of late William Gabbitas and Mrs Marriott, 21 King Street, Newark. Husband of Harriet Gabbitas, 111 Tunnard Street, Grimsby. Born Newark and attended Christ Church school. Later employed by Mr W.S. Davy at the Devon Brewery. At age 18, some 14 years ago, enlisted in the 1st Sherwood Foresters and for a time at Derby. Afterwards on foreign service at Singapore then Bangalore, India. Next at Secunderabad, while at which he was placed on reserve, when he returned to Newark and worked on the Midland Railway. At the outbreak of war was called-up and re-joined his old regiment (9th Battalion), going to Derby. Afterwards with Kitchener’s army at Belton Park, leaving there with a large draft for the Dardanelles in 1915. Here he contracted enteric fever and was sent to Malta. Later embarked for England and in hospital at Warrington. He recovered and re-joined his regiment at Sunderland and from thence to France. While serving there he became time-expired and returned to England for a months leave. After which he again went to the Sherwood Foresters and was with them on 21st March.
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