John Thomas Abel

Born: 8 August 1895

Died: 27 March 1918

Rank and Regiment: Lance Corporal 748 in the 4th Battalion Machine Gun Guards

Resting Place: Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France

Memorials: Woodbastick War Memorial and; St. George’s, Hardingham, United Kingdom

John Thomas Abel was born on 8 August 1895, probably in Runhall, though he was baptised at Mattishall on 9 October 1895.

He was the son of Henry Abel and Annie Elizabeth Abel, and the younger brother of Freddie Abel.

He attended Runhall School from 13 March 1900 until 11 October 1904 when the family left the village. The following day he was enrolled in Hardingham School along with his sisters Henrietta and May. He left Hardingham School on 24 April 1909, initially to work as a market gardener. However, according to the Hardingham Memorial Register, he worked on White Cross Farm and afterwards as Underkeeper at Woodbastwick, and his occupation when he enlisted in the Armed Forces was given as “Gamekeeper”.

He enlisted in the Scots Guards (Machine Gun Section) on 27 February 1915. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal before being killed in France on 27 March 1918. He is buried at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, and is also commemorated on the War Memorial at Woodbastwick.

The wooden cross which originally marked his grave has been returned to Hardingham Church and is on display there.