No. 31655, Private, James Arthur ASHFORD
Aged 27
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Born in Newmarket in Q2-1891 [Newmarket 3b:557] to John and Ann ASHFORD (née SPARROW). They lived in the vicinity of the Turf Tavern in
Granby Street, Newmarket, at least from 1881 to 1911.
1891 census...At Turf Cottages were James A [1 month]; his father John [32], a painter, born Westley; his mother Ann [33], born Chippenham; his brother John J [10], born Stetchworth, and sisters Alice M[8] and Kate M [2], both born in Newmarket. 1901 census...The family were now at Turf Passge, Granby Street. Father and brother John were house painters and a new brother was George [7], born Newmarket. 1911 census...His father had died in 1902 and James and hs brother George (both bakers assistants, with brother John, a jobbing gardener were living with their widowed mother at 18 Granby Street, Newmarket. His Uncle, Thomas Elsdon Ashford won the VC in Afghanistan on 16th August 1880 whilst serving with the Royal Fusiliers. |
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The 10th Battalion moved to Italy in November 1917. The 10th Northumberland Fusiliers were part of the 23rd Division which took a prominent part in the
Passage of the Piave (23 October-4 November 1918) during the final Battle of Vittorio-Veneto. On 21 October 1918, Commonwealth forces comprising the XIVth Corps (7th and 23rd Divisions), which had been transferred from the Asiago sector, took over the part of the River Piave front from Salletuol to Palazzon, serving as part of the Italian Tenth Army. On the night of 23 October, the main channel of the river was crossed using small boats and the northern half of the island of Grava di Papadopoli was occupied, the occupation being completed two nights later by a combined Commonwealth and Italian force. After the capture of the island, the bridging of the Piave proceeded rapidly, although the strength of the current meant that the two bridges built for the crossing were frequently broken and many men were drowned. The Allied attack east of the Piave began early in the morning of 27 October. Despite stiff resistance and difficulties with bringing forward supporting troops across the river, the Austrians were forced back over the next few days until the Armistice came into effect on 4 November. James' death was the only one from his battalion that day. |
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