Z-Hirst-Abraham

Abraham Hirst 1887-1916

Family Details

Abraham was born in 1887 at Batley Carr and baptised at Holy Trinity on 7th September 1887 the son Frank and Hannah Hirst (nee Scales). Frank gave his occupation as a plumber and glazier. His older siblings were Emily (1878), Fred C (1881), Alice Gertrude (1883), Abraham followed by Clara Mabel (1890), Frank (1893), Harold (1896), and John Rowland (1898).

Abraham attended Warwick Road School and the Batley Carr Church Sunday School.

In 1911 the family was living at 27, Upper Road, Batley Carr and Frank and Abraham were employed as painters.
The Dewsbury Reporter of the 2nd December 1916 described him as a man of fine physique and a member of the Dewsbury Club and Institute.

Service Details

Abraham enlisted in November 1915 and went to France in March 1916. On 2nd September 1916 his father, Frank, died and he was unable to obtain leave go to the funeral however he arrived a week later and spent several days with his mother and his brothers and sisters before returning to his unit.

In early November 1916 the Seaforth Highlanders were in the trenches near Beaumont Hamel on the Somme coming out of the trenches on the 12th and the marched back to Forceville. At 5.45 am on the 13th after a short intense bombardment the 152nd and 153rd Brigade attacked and captured Beaumont Hamel taking numerous prisoners. The Seaforth Highlanders struck camp at 8 am and moved to huts in Mailly Wood in constant readiness to go into the line. On the 14th the 63rd Division captured Beucourt and the Seaforth Highlanders moved up the line at 3 pm on the 15th November to attack Munich Trench.

On the 16th the enemy shelled Beaumont Hamel all day with “five point nines” (German 150 mm  schwere Feldhaubitze or howitzers). Casualties for the battalion were Lt. Crichton, 6 other ranks killed and 11 other ranks wounded.

On the 17th at 5pm two companies were relieved by the 17th Durham Light Infantry, one moving back to dugouts in Wagon Road the other going to dugouts near battalion H.Q. The enemy shelled very heavily during the relief and 2 Lt  Mackenzie MM was severely wounded. Three other ranks were killed and 8 wounded.

Abraham Horace was reportedly killed on the 16th November by the CWGC but the following letter appeared in the 2nd December 1916 issue of the Dewsbury Reporter.

Captain Claude H. Nevin of the Seaforth Highlanders sent a letter telling the family of his death:-

“It is my painful duty to have to inform you that your son 4625 Private Hirst was killed in action on the night of the 17th November. He suffered no pain at all his death being instantaneous. His loss is felt greatly by all his comrades as not only was he loved in the ranks but he had proved himself to be a keen and efficient soldier. It seems so hard that one who has helped to win such a glorious victory over the enemy could not live to share the laurels we have won.”

Abraham Horace is remembered with Honour at Holy Trinity, Batley Carr and Dewsbury War Memorial.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

 


Researched by
Members of Batley History Group