Christ College Remembers The Reverend Williams David Abbott

REMEMBRANCE DISPATCH No. 56 COMMEMORATES THE REVEREND WILLIAM DAVID ABBOTT (HOSTEL 1896-1898 and 1899-1901) WHO DIED WHILE IN SERVICE ON 3^RD DECEMBER 1918.

William David Abbott joined the Hostel in January 1896. He was academically successful, and he enjoyed cricket and amateur theatricals. In 1897 he was awarded the Under 12 John Morgan exhibition. He left Christ College briefly but took up his school life on his return. He once again won the John Morgan exhibition and made appearances in the First XV and the Cricket and Hockey XIs.

He left school in July 1901 and went on to University College, Nottingham, where he played cricket and the kettle drums. He became a master at Bloxham School for a year from July 1907 before leaving for Lichfield Theological College. Ordained by the Bishop of Worcester in 1910, he was appointed Curate of St John-in-Bedwardine Parish Church, Worcester. He later moved his family Blackheath where he was the organizing secretary for the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge in the north west of England and Ireland.

On 7th June 1918 he entered the Army 1918 as Chaplain 4th Class, the rank given to newly recruited Chaplains and equating to the army rank of Captain. He arrived in France on 7th August and was immediately tasked with the clearance and burial of soldiers in the battlefields of Northern France. He became ill while undertaking his duties and on 3rd December 1918 he died of pneumonia at no. 5 British Red Cross A Stationary Hospital.

The Reverend William David Abbott is buried at the Janval Military Cemetery, Dieppe. He is remembered on the Memorial of The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints and on the War Memorial at Bloxham School, as well as on the War Memorial at Christ College.