Stalbridge Remembers
WILLIAM ASHFORD
Private 12696
6th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
Died of wounds Wednesday 21st February 1917
Aged 28
His grave is No. IV. B. 21 in
GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE, SOMME, FRANCE.
Son of Joseph and Amelia Ashford, Stalbridge Weston.
Husband of Sarah Ashford, Cemetery Lane, Stourton Caundle.
Personal details:
Born in November 1888, baptised on 6th January 1889. He had older brothers Robert and Tom, older sister Winifred, and a younger sister Edith. The family lived with his widowed grandfather in Stalbridge Weston in one of three cottages that have now become Comer Farm. William married Sarah Vowles on 13th June 1910 in Meare, Somerset, and they moved to Cemetery Lane, Stourton Caundle. They had a daughter Dorothy Maud bom on 20th December 1910 and a son Frederick William Joseph born on 10th October 1912. William worked as a road labourer for the Rural District Council until he enlisted at Sturminster Newton on 28th December 1914. He joined the 6th Battalion on 8th January 1915.
Born in November 1888, baptised on 6th January 1889. He had older brothers Robert and Tom, older sister Winifred, and a younger sister Edith. The family lived with his widowed grandfather in Stalbridge Weston in one of three cottages that have now become Comer Farm. William married Sarah Vowles on 13th June 1910 in Meare, Somerset, and they moved to Cemetery Lane, Stourton Caundle. They had a daughter Dorothy Maud bom on 20th December 1910 and a son Frederick William Joseph born on 10th October 1912. William worked as a road labourer for the Rural District Council until he enlisted at Sturminster Newton on 28th December 1914. He joined the 6th Battalion on 8th January 1915.
Military details:
6th (Service) Battalion was formed entirely of volunteers at Dorchester on 6 September 1914 as part of the Second New Army (K2) and established camp at Wareham 12 days later. In March 1915 it transferred to 50 Brigade in 17 (Northern) Division, moved to Romsey in May 1915 and landed at Boulogne on 14 July 1915 where it joined 7 Brigade. William was probably in D Company which comprised mostly Dorset men.
The Battalion took part in many actions in the Somme from July 1915 near Ypres, but was fortunate in avoiding the slaughter near Fricourt on 1st July 1916 when 60,000 British troops fell in 24 hours (the order for the Dorsets to advance was cancelled at the last minute). In January 1917 the battalion took over some trenches near Fregicourt on a 500-yard frontage, and allowed one company at a time in reserve. The battalion moved to Meaulte on 20th February, and he died there the next day from wounds received earlier.
6th (Service) Battalion was formed entirely of volunteers at Dorchester on 6 September 1914 as part of the Second New Army (K2) and established camp at Wareham 12 days later. In March 1915 it transferred to 50 Brigade in 17 (Northern) Division, moved to Romsey in May 1915 and landed at Boulogne on 14 July 1915 where it joined 7 Brigade. William was probably in D Company which comprised mostly Dorset men.
The Battalion took part in many actions in the Somme from July 1915 near Ypres, but was fortunate in avoiding the slaughter near Fricourt on 1st July 1916 when 60,000 British troops fell in 24 hours (the order for the Dorsets to advance was cancelled at the last minute). In January 1917 the battalion took over some trenches near Fregicourt on a 500-yard frontage, and allowed one company at a time in reserve. The battalion moved to Meaulte on 20th February, and he died there the next day from wounds received earlier.
William Ashford's grave at Grove Town Cemetery
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Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte
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