Abiah Sabberton

A Private with 1st Bn., Abiah died on 25th of April 1915 at the age of 33. 

Abiah's actual first name was Obadiah

Abiah was born at Lowestoft in 1882, a son of (Samuel) Richard and Mary Ann Sabberton. In 1891 his family lived at 7 Stevens Street, Lowestoft, and in 1901 were still living at 7 Stevens Street and Abiah worked as a quay labourer. 

Between 1899 and 1903 Abiah served in the Suffolk Artillery Militia. 

On 15 August 1910 Abiah married Mabel Honor Utting at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft. Abiah was a labourer living at 53 Stanley Street and Mabel lived at 7 Norwich Road. By 1911 they were living at 61 Trafalgar Street.

Around 1901 Abiah began working as a labourer for the Great Eastern Railway Company at the Lowestoft Harbour Works and he continued in this employment until he enlisted. Abiah played football in the Great Eastern Railway team and also took part in tug of war. 

Abiah volunteered and joined the Army at Lowestoft. He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment. He arrived in France on 23 February 1915 to join the 1st Battalion. 

On 22 April 1915, at the northern end of the Ypres Salient near St Julien, the French and Canadian troops were subjected to a gas attack. This attack caused the troops to retreat and caused up to 5,000 deaths and 15,000 casualties. The Germans  advanced 3-4 km, broke the Allied lines and threatened Ypres. The 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment moved forward and fought alongside the 1st Canadian Division to counter the German attack. 

The 1st Battalion was taken out of the line on 24 April and went into reserve near Frezenberg. However, they were immediately ordered to take up a position on the Frezenberg Ridge near the village of Fortuin. They took a position of the left flank of the Canadians. The Battalion was also exposed to a gas attack, suffering a large number of casualties.

Abiah was wounded on 24 April 1915 and died of his wounds at hospital in Boulogne the next day. 

Abiah's brother William died in 1915 in the loss of the trawler Speeton. His brother George died in 1917 whilst serving with Paddle Mine Sweeper Glen Rosa.