ABRAHAM, Arthur Thomas [M.C.]



Captain, Arthur Thomas ABRAHAM M.C.
Aged 32


23rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment
Killed in Action on Monday, 22nd October 1917


Military Cross


Arthur Thomas Abraham was born on 3rd December 1884 in Bury St Edmunds (Bury St Edmunds Q4-1884 4A:680), son of Reverend Thomas Palmer and Helen ABRAHAM (née ANDERSON)



1891 census...Aged 6, he was at The Rectory, Risby with his father Rev.Thomas P. ABRAHAM [44] clergyman born Bickerstaffe, Lancashire; his mother Helen [27] born Gateacre, Lancashire; sisters Violet H [5] born Troston and brother Edward Weir [3] born Risby.

His father died in 1897. His mother married Jules Ernest MALON in Brentford in 1905.

1901 census...Arthur and Edward not found. His widowed mother was at 84 Eastgate Street, Bury St.Edmund with his sisters Violet and Eileen M.W [5] born Risby. They were staying with Mary LEDYARD and her cousin Edith G HARRIS.

1911 census...Arthur and Edward not found. His mother was at 5 St Marks Crescent St Helier, Jersey with her 2nd husband, Ernest MALON [46] French teacher, born in France and their daughter Yvonne [4] and son Pierre [3] both born in France, and Arthur's sisters Violet and Eileen

He married Ruth Ayliff ROBINSON on 11th January 1917 at St Mary's, Reigate (Reigate Q1-1917 2A:363). Their address for probate was Rannock Lodge, Reigate

Passenger lists show his mother had been in Canada from June 1912 to November 1921, had visited England and returned to Canada in September 1928 to her son E.W.Abraham. This suggests that the Malon/Abraham family had emigrated to Canada in 1912.


He enlisted at Valcartier, Canada on 17th September 1914. He gave his date of birth as 3rd December 1884, next of kin, his mother Mrs Malon of Valdes Island, British Columbia, occupation farmer. He was 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm) tall, weighed 160 lbs (72.8 kg), chest 32.5 to 35.5" 82.6 to 90.2 cm), grey eyes, dark brown hair, Church of England. Accepted into Canadian Army, 7th Battalion,(No.16740) on 25th September 1914.

He arrived in France in February 1915 and was gassed in the Ypres Salient in May and from then on he suffered several bouts of ill health, frequent hospitalisations with pneumonia,influenza, pleurisy and tonsilitis.By the end of 1915 he was recovering in England and in February 1916 he went to Pembroke College, Cambridge on an officer cadet course. Commissioned on 6th July 1916 he was discharged from the Canadian Army, now aged 32. He gave his intended address as Ronnock Lodge, Reigate which seems to be the place he met his wife to be. His brother Edward Weir ABRAHAM enlisted in the Canadian Army (no.16739) the same day as him and was also commissioned in February 1916, into the Cheshire Regiment. He survived the war and later returned to Canada In 1920 both his mother and his widow applied for a memorial cross, mother giving her address as 903 Collinson Street, Victoria, British Columbia, and his widow at Pound Hall.Long Melford. His mother was successful, his widow's claim was denied.

At 5 feet 10 inches tall he would have stood out somewhat in the battalion which was a Bantam Battalion, originally for men between 5ft and 5ft 3 inches tall, albeit the standards were relaxed as the war wore on. In late October near Houthulst north of Ypres in the course of the battle the battalion was nearly wiped out.

The War Diary for 22nd October 1917:-
"At 5.35 a.m. the Battalion attacked, in conjunction with another Battalion of this Brigade on our left and 34th Division on our right, from the line ADEN HOUSE (V.1.c. 55.35) to ANGLE POINT (U.6.a.6.4), the final objective being on a line running from SIX ROADS (V.1.b.3.7) to V.1.b.3.8. The first objective running from V.1 central to the road junction at V.1.a.50.15 was reached with slight casualties. From this point however the resistance was more stubborn and very heavy rifle and machine gun fire was experienced from both flanks. All the officers, with one exception who was acting as liaison officer with 34th Division on our right, and a large proportion of N.C.O.s and men were either killed or wounded and the Battalion was unable to make further progress. The survivors who could be collected, that is about 50 other ranks under a Company Sergeant Major, withdrew to our original line, and later in the morning were relieved by two companies of the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers who had been in reserve, and withdrew to the vicinity of EGYPT HOUSE (U.12.b.2.9). That evening the Battalion moved back to PASCAL FARM (U.13.c.5.2.) and the following day were withdrawn from the line. The casualties sustained were: Officers 1 missing, 8 killed and 5 wounded. Other ranks 55 missing, 20 killed and 115 wounded.


CWGC have 77 killed of the 23rd Manchesters on 22nd October 1917

Citation for his Military Cross, Supplement to the London Gazette 16 August 1917:-
Aug. 14th. 1917.. 2nd Lt. Arthur Thomas Abraham, Manch. ."K., Spec. Res.-For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a covering party with the greatest dash and ability, affording complete protection to the main party. He has invariably volunteered for every offensive movement.

Where and when he won this award is not stated, but he was promoted to Acting Captain on 20th July 1917.


sketch for 1917




satellite view 2015





His memorial plaque in St Giles Church, Risby, his father having been Rector there for 11 years
and his grandfather previous to that.




Arthur Abraham is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial panel 120-124/162-162A and 163A

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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