Ernest ASKEW

30 July 1915

A SKIPTONIAN'S SACRIFICE - PRIVATE ASKEW KILLED

If the titanic struggle on the continent had already run its fearful course, no one would be able to say that the lads of Skipton had not done their fair share in the stupendous task of smashing the 'mailed fist.' Hundreds of brave young fellows from the Skipton district have answered with eagerness the call of their beloved country, and have gone forth: some, alas, never to return.

Such a one was the late Private Ernest Askew of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment who went to the Front with his battalion but a few months ago. The sad news was conveyed to the young man's parents, who live at 40, Westmorland Street, Skipton, in a brief message from No.19 Clearing Station, and was couched in the following terms:- "I deeply regret to say that Ernest Askew died early this morning. He will be laid to rest in our cemetery at 3pm, and the grave will be properly marked with a cross. With my most sincere sympathy. Yours very truly, H.K. Southwell."

It will be observed that the nature of the young man's injuries is not mentioned.

Pte. Askew was a single young man, 24 years of age, and was formerly employed by the Midland Railway Co. as an engine cleaner. He had been a member of the Territorials for 2 years before the commencement of hostilities, at which date he entered into training with his regiment.

01 October 1915

INGLETON - War Items

Private F. Hawcroft has been wounded, and is now in hospital at Birmingham.-Private J.T. Bradley has been home for 6 days on furlough, and has now returned to the Front.-Lance-Corporal Harry Atkinson, Royal Field Artillery, and Privates T. Heaps and E. Heaps have been spending a few days at home before being despatched to the Front.-The Ingleton Roll of Honour now contains the names of 154 persons. Of these, three have been killed, viz., Lieut. Gerald Kirk, Pte. A. Noble and Pte. E. Askew. The National School roll contains 98 names.

22 February 1918

INGLETON - IN MEMORY OF THE FALLEN

A memorial service for Ingleton men who have fallen in the war was held in St. Mary's Church on Sunday evening. There was a large congregation, and the service was of an impressive character. The Union Jack was hoisted half-mast on the tower during the day. At the commencement of the service the organist, Mr. C. Bentham, played 'O rest in the Lord', and at the conclusion the Dead March in 'Saul', 'How bright these glorious spirits shine', and other hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung, as was also the National Anthem. Standing on the Chancel steps, Bugler J. Robinson sounded the 'Last Post', and its solemn and eerie notes reverberated along the aisles.

Before commencing his address, the vicar, the Rev. D. T. Davies, read out the list of those who had fallen, as follows:-

Killed in action: Second-Lieutenant G. Kirk, Sergeant J. Metcalfe, Privates A. Noble, G. Scholey, C. Tomlinson, J. Smith, W. A. Hodgson, J. W. Wadeson, J. W. Robinson, J. Clapham, W. Smith, J. Schofield, J. Kettlewell, W. Marklew, E. Askew, P. Fletcher, G. Metcalfe, A. M. Booth, J. Woodhouse, W. Bolton, and J. [W.H.W.] Wilson.

Died in hospital: Privates W. H. Wignall and C. Newsholme.

Torpedoed: C. Grant.

Missing; Sergeant R. E. Walker, Privates A. Sherwin, W. Northey, E. Robinson, J. Saul, and W. [J.C.] Bradford.

The Vicar, speaking from the words, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends', said that the occasion brought them face in face with a question that was momentous to everyone, and the list which he had just read made them pause and ask the question, "Is the cause for which we are fighting of such a nature that these sacrifices are necessary?" They must remind themselves of the causes which led to the war. Our honour was pledged to protect a small country from an oppressing wrong, and we were compelled to stand by them. They were standing to protect a weak country from a fearful wrong committed by one of the strongest nations in the world - from a military point of view the strongest - a nation that was steadily prospering year after year and which had been training its manhood to satisfy its mad ambition for power. It was becoming clear, especially during the last few weeks, that the dominant note running through their proposals had been their determination that might should conquer over right, and that they would rule as masters over the whole world. When they analysed the causes they saw that the principles of justice and righteousness were struggling against oppression and wrong-doing. They had seen an attempt to impose injustice on the whole world, to impose the doctrine that might is right and mercy unknown by the will of one man, and to sweep away religion, man's guidance, in a moment.