STOKES Abel

Abel Stokes was born on 27th August 1895, the son of William and Sarah Ann Stokes of Catshill, Worcestershire. He entered Old Swinford Hospital on 20th June 1905 and left the school in September 1909 when he was apprenticed to B. Wilson, grocer of Bromsgrove.

Bromsgrove Messenger:
Catshill Man Killed in Action
Mrs Wm. Stokes, of Westfield Cottage, Catshill, has received news that her son, L-Corporal Abel Stokes, was killed in action on April 24th. The deceased soldier was single and 21 years of age. He joined the Worcesters (T.F.) in September 1914. After a few months’ training he proceeded with his battalion on foreign service. He went through a lot of hard fighting, and escaped injury until 1916, when he was gassed. Before enlisting he was employed by Mr Arnolds, grocer, Barnt Green, and formerly was apprenticed to J.B. Wilson and Sons, Catshill. His mother has received the following letter from his captain:- “The death of your son Abel in action on the 24th has caused among the men of his platoon and company the greatest sorrow, and on behalf of the whole company I wish to express to you our deepest sympathy. I had known him since September, 1914, and during that time had learnt to appreciate all his sterling qualities. He was a splendid commander of a Lewis gun team, and in him the whole team put the utmost trust. Last night in the trenches his body was found; he had been defending the captured position to the very last, and underneath his arm he had his Lewis gun. No one could possibly have died a finer death, and all our hearts go out to you in your great trouble.”

Source for additional information: Old Foleyans Remembered Casualties of WW1 published by the Old Foleyans Association, October 1998.

The following information has been researched by Andrew Bate:
1911 Census
The Chain, Catshill, Bromsgrove
William Stokes, head, aged 48, Labourer
Sarah Ann Stokes, wife, aged 47, 8 children, all still living
William Stokes, son, aged 22
May Stokes, daughter, aged 20, Laundress
George Stokes, son, aged 18, Butcher
Abel Stokes, son, aged 16, Grocer
Hannah Stokes, daughter, aged 12
Victor Stokes, son, aged 10
Lilly Stokes, daughter, aged 8
Morrice Stokes, son, aged 6