William David Abbott died of illness on this day in 1918.
William Abbott was born in Kirmington, Lincoln on 22 July 1885, the son of the Rev. David Wyley Abbot, Vicar of Cardlington, co. Salop, and mother Mary Ann.
He was educated at Christ College, Brecon and ordained 'Clerk in Holy Orders' in 1909 and was subsequently appointed Organizing Secretary for the S.P.C.K.
William married Ruby Williamson at Trinity Church, Boston on 7 October 1909 and had two sons Kenneth David George born on 17 October 1910 and John Williamson born on 21 June 1916. At the 1911 Census they were living at Fairfield, Laugherne Rd, Worcester. Before the war he was the Vicar of Cardington, Bedfordshire.
He was gazetted Chaplain to the Forces on 7 June 1918 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 6 August 1918 and died No.5 Stationary Hospital, Dieppe on 3 December following pneumonia contracted while on service.
His Commanding Officer wrote of him:
‘I have had an exceptional opportunity of learning what he was, what an inspiration he was to all around him; what a tower of strength he was on the side of everything manly and clean. He was one of the bravest men in moral courage I have ever met …'
The Rev William David Abbott died of pneumonia 3 December 1918. He is buried in Janval Cemetery, Dieppe.
REF: 1891 Census of England; De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1919; The Boston Guardian Saturday 21 December 1918