Harrogate Herald - 15th September 1915

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Killed in Action in France - Private E Abrams, West Yorks, son of Mr and Mrs G Abrams, of 36 Unity Grove, Harrogate.

Harrogate Herald - 15th September 1915

Yet another name to be added to Harrogate's Roll of Honour is that of Ernest Abrams, eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Abrams, of 36 Unity Grove, who fell victim to a German sniper on Sunday morning, September 5th. He was at one time employed at the Harrogate Herald Printing Works, Harrogate, and later at Mr Dobson's, High Harrogate. As a youth he was the happy possessor of a fine treble voice, and was a member of the choir in connection with Bilton Church, being a fine soloist. When his voice broke the boy too up the cornet, and was a member of the Borough Band, and after the war broke out played that instrument in the band of the 1/5th West Yorks. He played football with several well-known junior teams. Ernest Abrams had been a Territorial for three years before hostilities commenced, and he at once volunteered for active service. The sad news of his demise was received in a letter to his sister by his particular chum, Private George Winter, of Starbeck, in which he says :

I hardly know how to start this letter, as doubtless you would have heard of the distressing news of the death of Ernest. We came into the trenches on Saturday night, and on th Sunday morning, after 'standing to arms', which is from dawn to daylight, I went into my dug-out, intending to go to sleep, when Ernest came and told me they were going to build a dug-out, as there were not plenty for all. Not many minutes later, Harry Waddington came running out and told me Ernest had been shot through the head by a sniper. I went to him at once, but he was unconscious, and died an hour later. He was buried at 6 the same night, and Corporal Kitchen, of Wetherby, Bandmaster Pearson, and myself attended the funeral. The service was conducted by Captain Thompson and the now Regimental Sergeant Major Raynor, late of the Drill Hall, Harrogate. I am asked by many friends in the Company to convey to his family their deepest sympathy. We get relieved tomorrow, and go back to billets for a twelve days' rest, and Ernest was looking forward to it, as we intended to have a good time, but his death has quite upset me, and I do not think the rest will do me any good now. I am too upset to write any more now, but will do so later".

Harrogate Herald - 6th September 1916

In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private Ernest Abrams, 5th West Yorks Regiment, killed in action September 5th, 1915 – "There is one link death cannot sever, Loving remembrance lasts for ever" – From his loving Father, Mother, Brother, and Sisters.

[Similar in 1917 with his age, 21, added]

[Similar in 1918]

SDGW

Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

1/5th Battalion

1159 Private Ernest Abrams

Born in Bilton

Enlisted in Harrogate

Killed in Action 5th September 1915

France & Flanders

CWGC

In Memory of

ERNEST ABRAMS

Private 1159 "C" Coy. 1st/5th Bn., West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own) who died on Sunday, 5th September 1915. Age 21.

Additional Information:

Son of George Abrams and Harriet Abrams, of Harrogate.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery: ESSEX FARM CEMETERY, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Grave Reference/Panel Number: I. L. 16.