Abraham (known as Arthur) was born on 5 September 1916 in Cheetham, Manchester to Ukranian born parents Joseph Pogorelsky and Yetta née Fayman. He was named Abraham Pogorelsky at birth and changed his name when he enlisted. The family lived at 32 Enid Street and Arthur attended Waterloo Road school with his siblings Jenny, Max, Harry and Gertrude. Their father Joseph worked as a tailors presser and after leaving school Arthur worked as an insurance clerk.

Arthur was training as an air bomber on Wellington R1345 which departed RAF Moreton-in-Marsh on a night cross country training exercise. Their route was from Base-Fishguard-Seagull Island-Calf of Man-St. Davids Head-Radway-Base. The aircraft was last heard from at 00.31 but no further contact was made. Aircraft in the area were requested to look out for the Wellington, but no sightings were made.

The crew were listed as missingand are commemorated on Runnymede Memorial.

R107000 Sgt Melvin Ralph Derrick, RCAF
1208628 Sgt Herbert Ernest Drake
1014112 Sgt Arthur Pogrel
405459 Sgt Cecil Alfred Williams, RAAF
48954 P/O Richard Albert Castell