Eric Evan Abell

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

Eric Evan Abell was born in 1919 the son of John Leonard & Catherine Mary Abell, he was baptised in the parish of Holyhead, Anglesey on the 14th of January 1919 , his address was Stockport House. His father was a Master Outfitter.

Eric Evan Abell is seen on the 1921 census living at 37-39, Market Street (Stockport House), Holyhead, Anglesey. Head of the household was John Leonard Abell, 31 years and 3 months old, a Clothier and Outfitters Employer at Stockport House. His wife, Catherine Mary Abell was 24 years and 11 and a half months old. Evan Eric Abell was 2 years and 6 months old and Raymond Leonard Abell was 1 year old, all born in Holyhead, Anglesey. Living with them was Myfanwy Elizabeth Jones, a Nurse Maid.

Sadly, his father, John Leonard Abell, died in the same year on the 8th of November and was buried on the 11th of November 1921 aged 31 years. This came after a bitter dispute between his grandfather, John Owen Abell and his father, regarding the ownership of their Outfitters business at 37/39, Market Street Holyhead. The dispute was heard in the Chancery Division and the Liverpool Echo of the 19th of February 1920 records that the Judge found for the son, John Leonard Abell. But his succes was short lived as nine months later Eric's father died. His grandfather died four years later.

I have no record of Eric Evan Abell’s childhood or teen years, except that he attended the Holyhead Secondary School and is remembered on their Roll of Honour.

nor when he enlisted but he was to find himself in the Essex Regiment and then transferred to the 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, but sadly I can currently find no records of his time in either Regiments.

He landed with his regiment on Gold Beach on D-Day but we see his name in the British Army Casualty List among many who died on the 6th of June 1944, and we know by the CWGC Graves Concentration Report Form that he was initially buried at St. Come-de-Fresne then, on the 5th of April 1945, he was reburied at the Bayeux British Cemetery.

Eric's brother also served in the forces. The Royal Artillery Attestations Register for his brother, Raymond Leonard ABELL, shows that he enlisted in 1938 and was discharged on the 10th of August 1946. Whilst serving he devised and produced a revue in aid of the Royal Artillery Prisoners' of War Fund.

He followed in his father's footsteps as he went on to have a successful career as a clothes designer of note. His creations adorned the pages of the Birmingham Daily Gazette and Belfast Telegraph in Aaugust 1956.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Eric Abell. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Eric, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.