Harry Ashton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harry Ashton was born in 1897 the son of Samuel, who worked at the Beeeston Boiler Company and Hannah Ashton née Holmes of 49 Derby Street Beeston Nottingham. Samuel was born in 1872 New Lenton, Hannah Holmes was born in 1874 at Chesterfield, married in 1893 Nottingham, and had the following children, Harry 1897, Arthur b189, George William b1904 Beeston, Samuel Clement b1906 Beeston Florence b1910 Beeston and May b1919 Nottingham. In 1911 the family were living at 49 Derby Street, Beeston, Samuel is 39 yrs a pipe moulder and Harrry 14 yrs a lace card puncher.
He volunteered in the 11th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade in November 1914. The battalion was formed at Winchester in September 1914. The battalion was to become part of the 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. After initial training at Hamilton Camp, near Stonehenge, the battalion was posted abroad and landed at Boulogne on 22nd July 1915. Harry Ashton was killed in action on 15th August 1917. The area where Lance Sergeant Ashton was killed saw much fighting in the War particular in August 1917, during the "Third Battle of Ypres". On 14th August 1917, the 10th & 11th Battalions Rifle Brigade attacked from either side of the road towards Langemarck. They had to cross the Steenbeek (a stream) running almost north-south, 400metres east of land that is now the cemetery. The 11th Battalion suffered heavy casualties in reaching their objective, a mill, some 200metres further on, but they could not take this heavily fortified position so they withdrew. This action resulted in 1 Officer and 43 men of the 11th Battalion killed on the 14th/15th August. In a letter received by Lance Sergeant Ashton’s parents, his Commanding Officer wrote 'Harry was sent on an important mission with his platoon in which he lost his life. The work was dangerous but he went about his duty as always. I always appreciated his sterling qualities under a quiet manner and you may well be proud of such a son.'
Buried in Cement House Cemetery 5.B.18
