Pte 22092 Abe Glassman

• Age: 26
• From: Northampton
• Regiment: 13th Kings
• Died on Friday 27th September 1918
• Commemorated at: Ribecourt Railway Cem
  Panel Ref: A.3

Abraham (Abe) Glassman was born in the second quarter of 1892 in Northampton the son of David Glassman and his wife Ida (nee Kurlandske/Kolanski). Both parents were born in Russia and became British Citizens.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at 11a King Edward Street, Stepney, London. David is aged 27, incorrectly transcribed as Davis and is a boot finisher born in Russia, his wife Ida, aged 23, is also present as is a 6 week old daughter Anna.

By 1901 the family have moved to Northampton, possibly for work in the shoe trade. They are living at 43 Roe Road, in the town. His father, David, is aged 36, the head of the household born in Russia but a British subject and a shoe finisher, The surname has been incorrectly transcribed as Gressman. His wife is shown as Ada, aged 33, also born in Russia but a British subject. Abraham is aged 8, he has two siblings Daniel aged 4 and (Florrie) Rose aged 2.  

In the 1911 Census, Abraham was living as a boarder in the household of Henry Gibson at 106 Euston Road, London. He is described as a tailor. His own family continue to live at 43 Roe Road, Northampton His parents David and Ida have been married for 22 years and have had 6 children of which two have sadly died. Abraham's siblings are shown as Daniel, Florence Rose and Henry all born in Northampton. 

Abe had moved to Liverpool and at the outbreak of the war was residing at 62 Bamber Street, Liverpool.

He enlisted in the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment on the 07th November 1914, as a Private 22092. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He was reported wounded in the Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 12 September 1916;

King’s (Liverpools) - Glassman, 22092, A. (Liverpool);

Abe had been transferred and was serving with the 13^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, as Corporal when he was killed in action on the 27th September 1918, aged 26, during the Hundred Days Offensive which began on the 8th August, 1918.

The 13th battalion War Diary records that, on 27th September 1918, after twelve continuous days in the trenches (front line and support), the battalion was ordered to capture the German Defensive System west of Ribecourt.  The attack was carried out at 5:20 a.m.  A hold up at Keating’s Lane caused heavy casualties to ‘C’ Company, but nests of Germans in dugouts readily surrendered and the attack went forward smoothly. The Division on the right did not hug their barrage but followed some distance behind their tanks. This resulted in several isolated hostile machine gun posts between their tanks and infantry shooting men of ‘C’ and ‘A’ Companies in the back.  The line was again held up about 50 yards short of the final objective where a few machine guns were still holding out.  ‘B’ Company dealt with hostile snipers on the high ground. The attack achieved its objective, with 600 prisoners and 100 machine guns and rifles captured. Casualties: 6 Officers, 125 Other Ranks.

Abe now rests at Ribecourt Railway Cemetery, France.

Ribecourt village was captured by the 9th Norfolks (6th Division) on the morning of 20 November 1917. It was lost in March 1918, but recaptured by the 3rd Division on 27 September 1918. The Railway Cemetery was made by the 3rd Division in October 1918.

The cemetery contains 53 First World War burials, one of which is unidentified.

The cemetery was designed by N A Rew.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Football Echo on the 19th October 1918;

LANCE CORPORAL KILLED IN ACTION. 

News has been received at his home at 62 Bamber Street, Liverpool of the death in action of Lce.-Cpl. A. Glassman K.L.R. (late Pals) on September 27 at the age of 26. He enlisted on November 7, 1914, and had seen nearly three years active service. He was a splendid son and brother, and is deeply mourned.

Soldiers effects of £12 11s 9d, war gratuity of £18 10s, and pension to his mother Ida, 62 Bamber Street. His brother, Daniel, also has a pension card, he served as Pte 41679 21/KLR. 

On the Electoral Roll, at 62 Bamber Street was the address of his married brother Daniel and family. By the 1921 census he had moved on to Salford, occupation cabinet maker.

His father, David, died aged 53, in Liverpool on the 14th January 1919;

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Saturday 27th September 1919

In Memoriam.

GLASSMAN - In loving memory of Lce.-Corpl. A. Glassman, 13th King’s Liverpool Regt. (late Pals), killed in action, September 27, 1918. Also our dear husband and father, DAVID GLASSMAN, who died January 14, 1919. Always remembered by mother.

Ida later moved to the U.S.A., her address on a pension card, 15 Starbird Street, Maldon, Boston. 

Abe is remembered in the British Jewry Book of Honour.

We currently have no further information on Abe Glassman, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.