Pte
Chester Abbett

Information about birth

Date of birth:
02/05/1894
Place of birth:
Teddington, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

General information

Last known residence:
19 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Profession:
Oar and Scull Maker
Religion:
Church of England

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
9296
Enlistment place:
Hounslow, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Royal Fusiliers (City of London) Regiment, 20th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
28/11/1917
Place of death:
Tiber, Passchendaele, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
23

Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: XVIII
Row: A
Grave: 3

Distinctions and medals 3

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Chester Abbett was the son of Mary Louisa and Alfred Abbett. He was born on 2 May 1894 in Teddington, Middlesex, where he also lived. Before the war he worked as a oar and scull maker. Chester enlisted in Hounslow, Middlesex and was part of the 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (19th Brigade, 33rd Division).

Chester was killed in action on 28 November 1917 in the aftermath of the Battle of Passchendaele. On 27 and 28 November, Chester's unit relieved the 1/5th Scottish Rifles in the front area south of Passchendaele. On 28 November, a heavy German barrage killed 51 men of the 20th Battalion Royal Fusiliers.

Chester died at the age of 23. His body was found after the war near Tiber, Passchendaele. Chester was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.

Files 2

Sources 7

19 Brigade: Headquarters (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), British Army war diaries 1914-1922, WO 95/2421/2).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
20 Battalion Royal Fusiliers (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/2423/3).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Further reference
British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 372).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Soldiers’ Effects Records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333).
https://www.nam.ac.uk
Sources used
War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 329).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used

More information 3