Albert James Abbott

Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
109188
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Canadian Mounted Rifles
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Woodlawn Cemetery, Guelph, Ontario
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Greater London
Birth city: 
London
Address at enlistment: 
3 Brant Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
237 Yorkshire Street, Guelph, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Coremaker
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
31
Gallantry medals: 
Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29623
Date: June 15, 1916
Honour or Award: Mentioned in Despatches
Name: Albert James Abbott (109188)
Unit: 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

BX January 6, 1916

“Something From Home” Greatly Appreciated by Men in Trenches – Gifts of Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E. Were Made Very Welcome at Christmas Time – Letters Received From Some of the Recipients Tell of the Conditions Under Which Fight is Made

To a man on active service, the greatest luxury obtainable is “something from home.”  When the Christmas gifts, forwarded by Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E., to officers at the front were received on the firing line, the joy was great. In terms of deep gratitude the recipients have replied to the donors, in the following letters among others:

December 14, 1915
France

To the Secretary,
Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E.,
Brantford, Canada 

Dear Madame,

Being a happy recipient of that delightful “preserve” I have the utmost pleasure in expressing the Brantford boys’ appreciation for your kind thoughts. We received it immediately after we had withdrawn from the trenches, after having had a strenuous spell, in which we lost three of our “Brantford boys.”

The word was breathed around that a present had arrived from the Daughters of the Empire while we were actually in the trenches, so it will be most gratifying to know that the brave boys that have gone knew until their last that they were filling the thoughts of the splendid Daughters of the Empire.
 
We all join in thanking you again, and further wishing you a very prosperous New Year.

Yours truly,

A. Abbott,
S.S.M. 4th C.M.R.
Late of the 25th 

BX May 8, 1929

Albert James Abbott

Following an illness of two weeks, there passed away in the Guelph General Hospital, Albert James Abbott, in his 40th year.  The deceased was born in London, England, and came to Canada about 18 years ago, being employed first at the Homewood Sanatorium and later by the department of public works in Guelph.  In 1913 he moved to Brantford, from which city he enlisted in 1914 with the Fourth Mounted Rifles.  He then served almost three years with the Canadian forces, being gassed, shell shocked and badly wounded in France.  He was also mentioned in dispatches by Sir Douglas Haig, and was decorated for bravery in the field, being raised to the rank of first class warrant officer.  Receiving his discharge on his return to Canada in 1917, Mr. Abbott returned to Guelph, where he has resided since that time.  The deceased had a long service record, serving in the British Army with the 14th Lancers for 12 years, part of the time in Great Britain, part in India and part in South Africa, going through the whole campaign against the Boers. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon from the home of his father-in-law, with service at St. George’s Church, Guelph and interment with military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery.