Abel Roberts

Abel Roberts was well known in the area when he had a fruiterer’s shop in North Road, Loftus as well as a market stall in the town and also travelled to customers in the district. He was one of many people who served in both World Wars. Abel fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and volunteered for duty in World War II, serving with the Green Howards at Dishforth and at Danby Beacon. Abel is seated in the photograph on the left. We asked if  anyone could add to this story. David Lambert tells us: ”My dad’s great uncle was called Abel Roberts and on the 1911 census he is down as being a Fruiter! But the census states he resided in Middlesbrough, the family resemblance is as though my grandad was sitting there; in fact the photograph of my grandad in his World War II RAF uniform is nearly a perfect match! Abel Roberts would have been my grandads uncle; he was Arthur Lambert his mother was Martha Ann Roberts (Abel Roberts sister). I have looked for Abel Roberts in World War I and the only one I can find is this one ’ABEL ROBERTS SERVICE NUMBER 4436- THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT’; it would be interesting to find a connection here are the other family members FROM THE 1891 CENSUS FATHER ABEL ROBERTS, MOTHER MARY ROBERTS, BROTHERS HENRY, WILLIAM, “”ABEL””, THOMAS, DAUGHTERS “”MARTHA ANN””, SUSANNAH”. David also adds: ”I can now confirm that this Abel Roberts is my great great uncle my dad confirmed today (31-03-2014) that the Roberts family had a Fruiters shop in Loftus; so it seems I am blood related to John Roberts who provided the image. I have a postcard from the Western Front; from Abel to Martha (his sister) dated around 1915 and signed Abel. I also have a postcard from Abel’s brother William and I have Samuel Pontypool’s dog tags, as well as Abel’s brothers and his medal roll certificate. He was in the Northumberland Fusiliers in World War I, I am really pleased I have put another part of my family history together and even more so I have found another family member who was in World War I, I am now researching William if there is any information it would be much appreciated.” Michele Taylor has told the Archive: ”My dad; Ernest Roberts is Abel and Mary Roberts only surviving son. He is the youngest of their nine children; my name is Michele Taylor was Roberts, I’m John Roberts cousin. I found this piece so intersecting I can’t wait to show my dad. PS my dad will be 87 this year.” Georgina Knox tells the Archive: “My Great Grandma was Abel’s daughter – she was called Mary Amelia Roberts – and I know they originally grew up in Middlesbrough before moving to Loftus. I think it was the Cannon Park area she once told me. She married into the Dadd family who also were fruit and vegetable merchants starting but in Guisborough.”

Thanks to John Roberts (son of Jack Roberts) for the images and information. Also to David Lambert, Michele Taylor and Georgina Knox for the updates.