Cartwright, Jabez – Grantham footballer killed in action

Jabez Cartwright (1885-1917)

Holbeach born Jabez Cartwright was adopted by Mr and Mrs Smith, of Holbeach Drove, at the age of four.

He began his football career at Mapperly, then Grantham Town in February 1912.

 

The right back who very soon transferred for £110.00 (a huge sum then)  to Bolton Wanderers but for some reason he never played for the Burnden Park club.

He joined Merthyr Town FC in January 1914 and played in the Southern League fixture at Portsmouth. His appearances were mainly in The Southern League Charity Cup and South Wales Senior Cup.

He was released by Merthyr Town at the end of the season and he re-joined Grantham Town in 1914.

Private Jabez Cartwright joined the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1915 and served in France for about two years. He was killed in action in Belgium on 4th October 1917 and he is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial.

A letter from his CO to his next of kin read: “He was a very good soldier indeed and never feared anything and I personally feel his loss very much. I don’t think for one minute, he suffered any pain which may be of some relief, death being instantaneous.”

Compiled from research by Michael Peck and C J Anderson