No.G/25944, Private, William ASHMAN
Aged 39
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William Ashman was born in Kirtling (Newmarket Q2-1880 3B:569), son of Charles and Elizabeth ASHMAN (née TURNER).
1881 census...Aged 11 months, he was at Cottage, Kirtling Street, Kirtling with his father Charles ASHMAN [25] a brickmaker, born Woodditton; his mother Elizabeth [26] born Kirtling, sister Alice [2] born Kirtling and visitors Sarah TURNER [20] single, born Kirtling and Mary TURNER [54] married, born Kirtling,( possibly his aunt and grandmother, Mary ASHMAN [54] married, born Stetchworth (possibly his grandmother). 1891 census...Aged 10, he was at Pokemire, Woodditton with his parents, brothers Albert [13], Charles [3] and Harry [1] all born in Kirtling, and Mary Sharp [76] recorded as widowed mother in law ? of Charles, born Cowlinge. 1901 census...Aged 20, single, a brickmaker, he was at Woodditton Green Farm, Woodditton with his parents, sister Alice and brothers Albert (horseman), Charles (labourer) and Harry and three new siblings, Frederick [8] born Kirtling, Ethel [7]and Hubert [4] both born in Woodditton. His father died in 1907 and his mother re married (Q3-1909 Newmarket 3B:1181) to Francis James FROST. 1911 census...Aged 30 he was a gardener, boarding with his stepfather Francis FROST [47] at Ditton Green, Woodditton and his mother and brothers Harry (horseman) ,Frederick and Hubert (both farm labourers). The marital status of the brothers is not recorded. , Married Mary Ann Clements (b.2-1-1878) in 1915 (Newmarket Q4-1915 3B:1636). According to CWGC, Mary Ann was living at 4 Cheveley Park, Newmarket. That is so far the only Cheveley connection found. On the pension card she was at 4 Cheveley Park with her children Dulcie Louisa CLEMENTS (28-7-1906), William Cecil CLEMENTS (18-11-1908) and Charles James William ASHMAN 926-6-1916 |
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He enlisted in Newmarket in November 1915 and was in France from December 1916. His regimental number according to his medal index card and pension card is G/24944, but CWGC has G/24044 (correction applied for 04/202) The battalion was based near White Chateau, Hollebecke and were preparing for an assault ( part of the Battle of Pilkem Ridge) when the incessant rain stopped, which of course it did not. Losses were sporadic, 9 being killed on the 26th |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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