John Phillip Abell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John Philip (Philip) was the son of George Mottram and Annie Jane Abell (née Watson). Philip's father, George Mottram, was the fourth of the five children of Thomas and Catherine Abell (née Mottram): Mary Rebecca, Richard Thomas, Kate, George Mottram (b. 1870) and Ada Elizabeth. Thomas, the son of Richard Abell, a baker, married Catherine of Ansley, Warwickshire, the daughter of Richard Mottram, a farmer, at Ansley parish church in September 1863. Between 1871 and 1901 Thomas, a butcher, and Catherine lived, and had premises on, High Road, Beeston. Catherine died in 1891 and Thomas in 1917. Philip's mother, Annie Jane, was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1868, the daughter of Richard Watson, a butcher and farmer, and his wife Margaret. The family was living in Burnley at the time of the 1871 and 1881 Census, but by 1891 Richard, now widowed and retired, was living with his daughter Annie Jane on Mona Street, Beeston. George Mottram married Annie Jane at Beeston St John the Baptist in January 1893. The couple had three children who were born in Beeston: Thomas Mottram b. 1893 (O/N/D), John Philip b. 1896 bap. St John the Baptist 30 August 1896 and Mary Margaret b. 1901. In 1901 George, a cycle scourer, his wife and their two sons, Thomas and John, were living on Humber Grove, Beeston. Their only daughter, Mary, was born later that year. By 1911 George was a tripe dresser on his own account and he and his wife, who was assisting in the business, were living at 125 Queen's Road, Beeston, with their eldest son Thomas, an apprentice (telephone works). The two younger children, Philip and Mary, were recorded on the census at 16a Union Street, Beeston, in the home of their widowed grandfather, Thomas Abell. Also in the home was their grandfather's widowed daughter, Mary Rebecca Waters (m. 1885 Herbert Forman Waters), who had been living with her father in 1901, and Mary's only surviving child Kate Abell Waters (b. Oldham 1889; deceased siblings Thomas Enoch b. Oldham 1891 and Dorothy Mary b. Beeston 1894 d. 1903). George Mottram Abell, his wife and their two children Thomas and Mary, were living together in Beeston in 1921. George Mottram died in 1926; his home was at 117 Queen's Road, Beeston. His widow Annie Jane died at 66 Clifford Avenue, Beeston, in 1935. Administration of her Will was awarded to her son, Thomas Mottram. Thomas married Maria Margereta Fitzibbon at Long Eaton St Francis Roman Catholic Church in 1938 and in 1939 they were living at 66 Clifford Avenue, Beeston. Thomas died in 1943 aged 49. His sister Mary married Harry Ward at Beeston St John the Evangelist in December 1937.
10th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Formerly T/306492 Royal Army Service Corps. The 10th (Service) Battalion, also known as 10th (Stockbrokers) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), was raised in the city of London in August 1914 as an independent unit. It was part of Kitchener’s Second New Army and initially came under 54th Brigade, 18th (Eastern Division). The battalion transferred in March 1915 to 111th Brigade, 37th Division and landed at Boulogne on 30 July 1915. For a short period July/August 1916 the Brigade was attached to 34th Division. In 1918 the Battalion was in action on the Somme, in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line (12 September-12 October 1918, Battle of Cambrai 8-9 October 1918 - Third Army (Byng) inc. 37th Division) and the Final Advance in Picardy. By the time of the Armistice the Division was in the area of Le Quesnoy. Phillip was killed in action on 8 October 1918 at the time of the Battle of Cambrai, and is buried in Marcoing British Cemetery. France (grave ref. II.B.24). The history of the cemetery indicates that Phillip's grave was brought in after the Armistice from either local battlefields or Rumilly German Cemetery. Phillip probably enlisted in 1916 (See 'Extra information). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Marcoing British Cemetery (extract): the village of Marcoing is 7km from Cambrai. 'Marcoing and Masnieres were captured by the 29th Division on the 20th November 1917, the first day of the Battle of Cambrai. On the 30th November and the 1st December, Masnieres was held by the same Division against repeated attacks, but it was evacuated, under orders, on the night of the 1st-2nd; and Marcoing was left a few days later. Marcoing was retaken on the 28th September 1918, and Masnieres on the following day, by the 62nd (West Riding) Division. Marcoing British Cemetery was made after the Armistice, by the concentration of graves (almost all of November 1917 or September-October 1918) from Rumilly German Cemetery and from the local battlefields.' (www.cwgc.org)
WMR11653. St Michael’s church, Cornhill, City of London EC3V 9DS. Framed and glazed Roll of Honour: ‘To the Glory of God and in memory of the officers, warrant officers, non commissioned officers and men of the 10th Battalion (Stock Exchange) The Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment who fell in the Great War 1914-1918 (Names) This Roll was presented by their comrades in ever affectionate remembrance. Nov. 11th 1926.’ Names include: Abell, Phillip. (www.iwm.org.uk) Photograph © Francis Mullan (WMR-11653) Beeston Gazette and Echo, 2 November 1918: ‘The supreme Sacrifice. Information has been received by Mr and Mrs Abell, of 117 (sic), Queen’s-road, Beeston, that their youngest son, Pte. John Philip Abell, of the Middlesex Infantry (sic), was killed in action in France on October 8. He was aged 22, and had seen two years’ service with the colours.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 2 November 1918: ‘Abell. Killed in action October 8, 1918, Pte. John Philip Abell, Middlesex Infantry (sic), aged 22, the beloved youngest son of Mr and Mrs Abell, 107 (sic), Queen’s road, Beeston, after two years’ noble service. From sorrowing mother, father, sister [Mary Margaret], brother [Thomas Mottram], aunt Mary [Mary Rebecca Waters], cousin Kittie [Kate Waters], and Fred.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, 9 November 1918: ‘Missing Now Reported Killed. Much sympathy will be felt for Mr and Mrs Abel of 117 (sic), Queen’s road, Beeston, at the news they have just received that their son, Corpl.(sic) Abell was killed in action on June 14 (sic). He was first reported missing on that date, but the parents received a letter from Pte J Cheeseborough, who as a mate of Corp. Abell, conveys the sad news in a sympathetic letter. He states that the Corporal was just going over the top when he was killed. The late Corpl. Abell, who was 22 (sic) years of age, joined the Army two years ago, and he had served in France over 12 months, having been promoted on the battlefield. He was in the Welsh Fusiliers (sic), and as a boy attended the National Schools. Prior to enlisting he was employed by Mr Steggles, baker, High road, Beeston.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam,’ 11 October 1919: ‘Abell. Pte John Phillip (sic) Abell, killed in action October 9, 1918. Sadly missed by Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, and Auntie Mary (Beeston).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father George Abell was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his paternal aunt, Mary Rebecca Waters (née Abell m. Herbert Forman Waters 1885). She died in 1923. Beeston Gazette & Echo, ‘Deaths,’ 3 March 1917: ‘Abell. At 16a Union street, Beeston, Thomas Abell, aged 86 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam,’ 8 January 1927: ‘Mottram (sic). In loving memory of George Mottram, the dearly-beloved husband of Annie Jane Abell, of 117, Queen’s Road, Beeston, who passed away January 5, 1926. Ever in our thoughts. Loving Wife and Family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) ‘In Memoriam’ 20 June 1936, Tom and Mary. Also 1937, 1938 and 1940. Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘Deaths,’ 22 June 1935: ‘Abell. At 66, Clifford-avenue, on June 16, Annie Jane Abell, aged 64 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, 7 January 1938: ‘Weddings in December Between December 11 and Christmas Eve, half a dozen couples launched the ship of matrimony at the Beeston Parish Church [St John the Baptist]. The couples were … Harry Ward and Mary Margaret Abell.’
