Stalbridge Remembers
HARRY ASHFORD
Private 16911
1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
Died of wounds Saturday 14th April 1917
Aged 22
His grave No. B. 35. is in
NESLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, SOMME, FRANCE.
Son of the late Charles and Mrs Mary Ashford of Church Hill, Stalbridge
Personal details:
Born 17th November 1894 and baptised Harry Fabian on 6th January 1895. His father Charles, an agricultural labourer, died in 1911. Harry had older brothers George and Ernest (who died in HMS Bulwark in November 1914) and older sisters Florence and Jessie. In 1918 his mother lived in one of three cottages in the grounds of what is now the Rectory. They were demolished in the 1960s. Harry left Stalbridge School when aged 14 in Jun 1909 and is recorded on the 1911 census as a Newsboy. When he enlisted at Dorchester is not known. As he did not qualify for the 1914-1915 Star he did not see service in a theatre of war before 1916.
Born 17th November 1894 and baptised Harry Fabian on 6th January 1895. His father Charles, an agricultural labourer, died in 1911. Harry had older brothers George and Ernest (who died in HMS Bulwark in November 1914) and older sisters Florence and Jessie. In 1918 his mother lived in one of three cottages in the grounds of what is now the Rectory. They were demolished in the 1960s. Harry left Stalbridge School when aged 14 in Jun 1909 and is recorded on the 1911 census as a Newsboy. When he enlisted at Dorchester is not known. As he did not qualify for the 1914-1915 Star he did not see service in a theatre of war before 1916.
Military Details:
The 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre 16th August 1914 and on 7th January 1916 transferred to 14 Brigade in 32 Division. In March/April 1917 the Brigade was operating near St. Quentin following the sudden German retreat to the Hindenberg line on 14th March. From 13th April the Dorsets were part of 14 Brigade operating on the left flank of a French Division intending to attack St. Quentin, and were ordered at 0630 to occupy Cepy Farm just north of the town. The affair of Cepy Farm is one which the 1st Battalion has severe right to be proud; it went without a hitch. But it was a 'rushed' action, a sudden and unexpected order. The German garrison continued to fire until the assault was within 50 yards then fled. It is not known when Harry received the wounds from which he died, but it could have been during this action.
The 1st Battalion landed at Le Havre 16th August 1914 and on 7th January 1916 transferred to 14 Brigade in 32 Division. In March/April 1917 the Brigade was operating near St. Quentin following the sudden German retreat to the Hindenberg line on 14th March. From 13th April the Dorsets were part of 14 Brigade operating on the left flank of a French Division intending to attack St. Quentin, and were ordered at 0630 to occupy Cepy Farm just north of the town. The affair of Cepy Farm is one which the 1st Battalion has severe right to be proud; it went without a hitch. But it was a 'rushed' action, a sudden and unexpected order. The German garrison continued to fire until the assault was within 50 yards then fled. It is not known when Harry received the wounds from which he died, but it could have been during this action.
Harry Ashford's grave at Nesle Cemetery
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Nesle Cemetery
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