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Rank : Lieutenant

Unit : 7th Bn

Biography :

Educated at King's School Canterbury and Exeter College, Oxford, Lionel Abbott was commissioned into The Leicestershire Regiment on 3.12.1914. He had entered Exeter College in 1907 with a Darrell Exhibition, and took a degree in 1910. During residence he stroked the College boat, played full back in the Rugby XV, and occasionally for the XI in cricket. He was a member of the OTC for three years, and, having passed in military history and strategy, easily obtained a commission in 1914. Before joining the Army, he was a master at Bramcote School, Scarborough. Lionel served in 7th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment, in France from July 1915. At the time of his death, he had been at the front a year, and, besides trench work, had helped to train reinforcements, for which he was commended by the CO to GHQ. He was Killed in Action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge on 14.7.1916, aged 28. He is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France.
An officer to whom he gave his last message before going into action writes that he was loved by all his brother officers, and his men were devoted to him. He was also greatly missed in Corby. When at home he used to ring, sing in the choir, and read the lessons in Church. He was always ready to help the local football and cricket teams by playing for them, and was a general favourite.

On the IWM Roll of Honour there is the following information recording that he is commemorated within the Regimental Chapel in Leicester Cathedral.

Wooden Prayer desk with regimental badge in relief at front. Small brass engraved inscription plate on pedestal beneath desk. Pedestal is mounted on a cross base with four decorative support brackets.
Inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF LIONEL PILKINGTON ABBOTT / LIEUTENANT 7TH LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT / KILLED IN ACTION JUNE 14 1916 / EX DONO K M ABBOTT

Medals: Victory, British and 1915 Star.

CWGC:

ABBOTT, LIONEL PILKINGTON
Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: 14/07/1916
Age: 28
Regiment/Service: Leicestershire Regiment 7th Bn.
Grave Reference: Sp. Mem. 18.
Cemetery: FLATIRON COPSE CEMETERY, MAMETZ
Additional Information:

Son of the Rev. Arthur Abbott and Lucy Blanche Abbott, of Corby Vicarage, Grantham.

Date of Birth : 30.12.1887

Place of Birth : Caister, Lincs

Date of Death : 14.7.1916

Place of Death : Bazentin, France

Civil Occupation : schoolmaster

Period of Service : 1914-16

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France