Edward Lyman Abbott

Captain Edward Lyman Abbott MC
Captain Edward Lyman Abbott (circa 1915 to 1918)
Born	(1891-05-01)May 1, 1891 Lovering, Ontario, Canada
Died	August 14, 1918(1918-08-14) (aged 27) Southeast of Amiens, France
Burial place	New British Cemetery Roye, France
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation	Canadian Expeditionary Force
Years active	1915–1918
Known for	Battle of Amiens, Abbott Cup
Awards	Military Cross First Bar

Captain Edward Lyman Abbott MC (May 1, 1891 – August 14, 1918) was a Canadian multisport athlete and soldier. Abbott was considered a fine sportsman in Regina, Saskatchewan, and won national championships in ice hockey, and rugby football. He is the namesake of the Abbott Cup, and is honoured in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Abbott was a decorated officer in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and died in action during World War I in France.

Abbott was born on May 1, 1891, in Lovering, Ontario, the son of James Henry Abbott and Mary Ann Jackson.^[1][2][3] He moved westward with his family in 1897, and acquired the nickname "Hick," short for hickory. Abbott played hockey in high school, and developed into a fast-skating right-winger, with a knack for scoring.^[4] As a member of the Regina Shamrocks and the Regina Bees, he won the Valkenburg Cup in 1911 and 1912, as champion of the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League.^[4] He was captain of the Regina Victorias that won the 1914 Allan Cup,^[4] and was a member of the Regina Rugby Club from 1913 to 1915, that won the Western Canada Rugby Football Union each year.^[5] Abbott was a law student, and senior civil servant for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan before joining the military.^[2][6][7]

Abbott enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on September 23, 1915, in Regina.^[3] He completed officer training in Winnipeg, and was assigned to the 68th Battalion as a lieutenant.^[2] He was deployed for duty on April 28, 1916, from Halifax Harbour, aboard RMS Olympic. Abbott was promoted to captain in the 52nd Battalion on October 30, 1916.^[2][3] In combat, he suffered gunshot wounds to his shoulder, and shrapnel in his eye, but continued to serve.^[6][7] Abbott was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in July 1917, the citation for which reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his men in the most able manner, and successfully led them through an intense hostile barrage. He set a fine example of courage and initiative.^[8]

A medal bar was added to his MC three months later after he led a raid on enemy trenches despite being outnumbered.^[5][9] The bar's citation reads:

For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company in a raid on the enemy's trenches. He led his men with the greatest courage and determination, drove the garrison from the enemy's position, and also attacked and dispersed a hostile working party which outnumbered his force. He blew up the enemy dug-outs, and held the position covering the withdrawal of the remainder of the raising party, and was the last to leave the enemy's trench. His gallantry and leadership contributed materially to the great success of the enterprise.^[10]

During the Battle of Amiens on August 14, 1918, Abbott was killed in action, by a sniper's bullet to the head.^[2][7] Abbott was interred in the New British Cemetery in Roye, France, grave reference I.B.13.^[2][3]

Captain Abbott is listed on page 357 of the Book of Remembrance for World War I.^[11] Joe Potts of the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association offered a memorial trophy to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, in memory of Abbott.^[4] The Abbott Cup was founded in 1919 in his honour, and was awarded for the Western Canada junior hockey championship, and a berth in the Memorial Cup.^[12] The Abbott Cup and his war medals are displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame, as an exhibit on World War I.^[5] Abbott was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.^[4]

• Digitized service file – Library and Archives Canada
• Edward Lyman Abbott at Find a Grave