Harry Rabbitt
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Harry Rabbitt was born in 1892 the son of the late Samuel a gardener and Maria Rabbitt née Cottam of High Street, Edwinstowe. Samuel was born in 1853 at Kempston, Bedfordshire, he died in 1915 aged 62 yrs, Maria Cottam was born in 1855 at Edwinstowe, married in 1874 at Nottingham, they had 11 children. He was the brother of William, Arthur, Fred (killed in action 8/7/1916), Theresa, Ida and Ivy Rabbitt. In 1911 they were living at Edwinstowe Nottinghamshire.
9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) went to Gallipoli on 1 July 1915. Rabbitt survived the battalion's first battle on August 9th. On 21 August 1915 it was decided to attack again in an attempt to break through. The chaos of 9th August would haunt the Division once again as 34th Brigade took the first objectives - Hetman Chair and Aire Kavak trenches. Unfortunately 32nd Brigade lost direction in its advance on the Hetman Chair communications trenches. This was a vital part of the advance and 33rd Brigade including 9th Battalion were sent forward and ordered to take it at all costs. Officers seemed unsure what was happening. One said ' The orders as far as can be ascertained, were to half left form on passing the original trenches dug near the orchard in the vicinity of Hetman Char.' Despite all of the problems and accurate fire from the enemy the battalion did manage some progress but in the end the attack was held up. To prevent even more losses, the battalion moved back to the reserve trenches during the night of 21st/22nd. The General Officer Commanding wrote that the battalion displayed a vigorous initiative combined with very steady discipline throughout the attack. Harry was one of the 493 all rank casualties during the two attacks. Only one officer (the MO) was not a casualty.
Helles Memorial Turkey. Research John Morse
