ABRAHAMS, William Cecil

William Abrahams was the son of Charles and Mercy Abrahams of 47 Salop Street, Dudley, and he attended the Claughton school. By 1914 he was married to Sarah Helen of 175 High Street, Dudley. He volunteered for the Worcester Territorials, probably before the war, and served in the 1/7th Worcesters in the 48th (South Midland) Division. They went to the Western Front in March 1915 and took a full part in the 1916 Battle of the Somme from the first day near Gommecourt to the last battle of the Ancre. In May 1917 the Worcesters moved from the Somme sector across the captured battle-field as far as the approach to the newly built Hindenburg Line and in August they moved to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres. They were in the front line by the 17th August when C Company was ordered to capture the Maison du Hibou, one of the fortified farms near Langemarck. The accuracy of the enemy machine guns and the failure of the artillery to damage the German lines led to failure and among those killed in action on this day was Lance Corporal William Abrahams who was killed in action. He was 26 years of age and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot, Dudley, St. James' church and Claughton school Memorials. His brother, Albert, died on the 10th September 1917.