Lot 151
A GREAT WAR CASUALTY PAIR AND RECORDS TO A MEMBER OF THE R.F.A.
A 1914-15 Star and British War Medal named to Captain Thomas Aveling Abbott who served with the 2nd (West Riding) Brigade Royal Field Artillery.
Captain Abbott's Field Message Book was kept as a diary. The first entry in the book, April 1915 begins "Easter Monday - heard while on leave that the Division had received orders to prepare for Foreign Service ..." Over many pages the diary recounts in a clear legible hand fascinating details of bombardments and daily life in the trenches. Amongst the events recorded are the battle for Aubers Ridge amd other actions. The last entry is on 24th May 1915.
A collection of some 25 letters add further detail to the period of service, a letter dated 25th May signed Mark Briggs tells of Abbott's death ' ... he then noticed the little daughter of the farm standing apparently horror struck he rushed off with her to a place of safety and then like the great man he is returned to Crowthers and without giving a thought to his own danger. As he entered the door way a third shell struck the door post at his side. He died an instantaneous death without a seconds pain ..."
A Certificate of Death from the War Office notes Captain Abbott's original resting place as 'a field at H.. 27.d 3.3. referene sheet 36. He was later moved to Rue David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais. (A lot)
