William's Story.
Ashley, William, his son Jack (WW2) and brother Alfred.
Weaverham St. Mary’s “Roll of Honour” records a W. (William) Ashley. This lad is not listed on the main “Fallen” Memorial but is listed on the Church “Fallen” Memorial, located in the church on the side wall.) Jack Ashley, William’s son is named on the WW2 “Fallen” Memorial.
Also included is an Alfred Ashley. Alfred is not named on the “Fallen” Memorial or the R.o.H. but is included here as the Northwich Guardian states William’s brother is also serving, this lad was also killed and his details are included here as under his own name.
Carls Cam records Alfred Ashley as a WW1 “Fallen” and is listed on the B. M. & Co.’s Winnington Works Memorial but with a date of 1916. Alfred is likely to be remembered at Christ Church, Barnton.
William
C.W.G.C. - remember William Ashley who was a L/Cpl, with the 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, Service No 13918, at HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L’ABBE, France, he died on Wednesday 12th July 1916, he was aged 28. Son of Joseph and Agnes Ashley of Barnton, Cheshire; husband of Annie Tomlinson (formerly Ashley) of 9 Forest St. Weaverham. [Cheshirebmd records an Annie Ashley marrying an Albert Tomlinson in 1920 at St. Mary’s Weaverham.] Inscription;- “Oh the beauty, Oh the gladness, Oh that resurrection day.”
N.A.M.C. - record William with the Cheshire Regiment, No 13918 with the Rank of Private, awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star medals. Theatre of War, France; Date of Entry, 27/9/15. The card also states D. of W. 12/7/16. See copy attached.
Northwich Guardian 1916, 28th July (P5/C4); PRIVATE W. ASHLEY, WEAVERHAM
Mrs Ashley, of 3 Forest Street, receive an official notification on Saturday morning from the Record Office at Shrewsbury that her husband, Private W. Ashley, of the Cheshire Regiment had died on July 12th from wounds received in action. The only intimation which Mrs Ashley received that her husband was wounded was a letter from Private A. Wilkinson in which he said he saw Private Ashley badly wounded on July 10th.
Private Ashley who was an employee of the Weaver Refining Company at Acton Bridge leaves a widow and two children. He was 26 years of age and enlisted in the early stages of the war. (Article repeated 4th Aug. 1916, P5/C1)
Cheshirebmd records two William Ashley’s born in the Weaverham District, 1st born 1880, 2nd born 1886. The age at which William was killed, 28, makes the lad born in 1886 this William Ashley. A William Ashley married a Annie Allman in the year 1910 at St. Mary’s Weaverham. Freebmd records an Eric Ashley born in 1912 and a Jack Ashley born in 1915, with the mothers maiden name of Allman recorded.
It took a while to find the Ashley family on the 1901/1911 census. It looks like Agnes, mother had remarried to a John Plumb. Cheshirebmd records the marriage of an Agnes Ashley/John Plumb in 1900 at Barton, Christ Church. Cheshirebmd also records an earlier marriage of a Joseph Ashley/Agnes Clarke in 1890 at All Saints Runcorn.
The 1911 census finds a Plumb family living at 4 Oakwood Lane, Barnton.
John Plumb Head, age 44, Labourer Chem Mond Wks, Barnton
Agnes Wife, age 44, Acton
Lizze Daughter, age 15, Barnton
Nellie Daughter, age 4, Barnton
Alfred Ashley Son, age 19, Labourer Chem Mond Wks, Barnton
The 1901 census has the Plumb family living at what looks like Plumbs Fold, Barnton and includes William, 13 and Alfred, 9, as Stepson’s. William is recorded as born in Runcorn. (Cheshirebmd records the birth of an Alfred Ashley in 1893, Runcorn.)
The 1891 census records Joseph Ashley 22, living on Oakwood Lane, Barnton, with his wife Agnes 24, and son Willie 3 who was born at Weston Point. Joseph is a Labourer at the Chem. Wks.
Taking some finding, the 1911c, as William Ashley is listed as Askley, William and his wife Annie is living on Forest St. Weaverham, with his in-laws.
Emma Head, age 52, House Keeper, Born Weaverham.
Fred Son, age 23, Labourer Refining Comp, Weaverham.
Amy Jackson Grand/Daughter, age 16m, Earlston.
William Ashley Son in Law, age 23, Labourer Refining Comp, Runcorn.
Annie Ashley Daughter, age 21, Weaverham.
Ashley Jack, son of William.
At some point it was realised that the Jack Ashley, son born in 1915 was the Jack Ashley killed in WW2. He paid the supreme sacrifice on 9th April 1945, whilst in Italy. Jack’s details will be recorded here with his father.
C.W.G.C. remember Jack Ashley Pte. 1st Bn. The London Scottish Gordon Highlanders, Service No 2934389. Died 9th April 1945, aged 30. Son of W. and Annie Ashley of Weaverham-cum-Milton, Cheshire. Commemorated at RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY (Italy) Inscription: GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
Failed to find Northwich Guardian Article on Jack!
Alfred Ashley, brother of William.
The Northwich Guardian 1916, 28th July (P5/C4) mentions a brother also serving. LANCE CORPORAL WILLIAM ASHLEY
Mrs Ashley, wife of Lance-Corporal William Ashley of Weaverham has received a letter from a comrade informing her that her husband has been severely wounded but at present she is anxiously awaiting further news. Lance-Corporal Ashley is 26 years of age and has two children. He joined the Cheshire Regiment at the beginning of the war and has been on active service for twelve months. He has a brother also serving in the Army.
Checking the B. M. & Co. R.o.H. booklet, the Winnington Works record 4 Ashley lads serving, including an Alfred Ashley Pte. with the 1st East Lancs., Died.
C.W.C.G. remember Alfred Ashley at the AIRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY in France. Alfred was with the 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment, Pte. Service No 6786. He died on the 22nd August 1918 aged 27 years. Son of Mrs Ashley of 2 Moss Grove, Oakwood Lane, Barnton, Northwich. Husband of Mrs Ashley of 922 London Rd., Northwich. Personal Inscription; A LOVING HUSBAND TRUE & KIND BEAUTIFUL MEMORY LEFT BEHIND EVER REMEMBERED BY HIS GERTRUDE.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for Alfred, he was with the “E. Lan. R. Pte. 6786” Theatre of War (1) France and Date of Entry 17/7/15, awarded the 15 Star, Victory and British medals.
Cheshirebmd records the marriage of Alfred Ashley/Gertrude Clare in 1916, Christ Church, Barnton. Carls Cam record an Alfred Ashley at the Winnington Works but with a date c1916. (Is this another Alfred Ashley?)
Guardian Article dated 6th Sept 1918 P3/C1. DIED OF WOUNDS PRIVATE ALFRED ASHLEY
A telegram was received on Saturday by Mrs Ashley of ? Back London Road, stating that her husband Private Alfred Ashley of the East Lancashire Regiment had died of wounds in hospital abroad.
Private Ashley, who enlisted, in 1914 had been on active service for three years & in civil life he was employed at the Winnington Works of Messrs Brunner Mond and Co. Three brother-in-laws are on active service and another has been killed in action.
Research Bob Heaton