Main CPGW Record
Surname: ASHTON
Forename(s): Thomas
Place of Birth: Addingham, Yorkshire
Service No: 28050
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Border Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 6th (Service) Battalion
Division: 11th (Northern) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1917-10-04
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Sp. Mem. B. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: CEMENT HOUSE CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: ADDINGHAM, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Ashton (born 28 July 1897) was the son of James Ellis and Jane Ashton, née Billows. James was born at Draughton and Jane at Skipton, Yorkshire. Jane was the cousin of Private Frank Crossland Billows (15543) (q.v.); L/Corporal Harold Hillary (266958) (q.v.) and Private Horace Hillary (11304) (q.v.) and T/2nd Lieutenant Thomas Billows Bellamy (q.v.).
1901 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: 22, Victoria Terrace - Thomas Ashton, aged 3 years, born Addingham, son of James Ellis and Jane Ashton.
1911 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: 139, Main Street - Thomas Ashton, aged 13 years, born Addingham, son of James Ellis and Jane Ashton.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Thomas Ashton, 3230, West. & Cumb. Y.; 28050, Bord. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Thomas Ashton, 3230, 3/1st West. & Cumb. Yeo.; 28050, 4th Res. Border Regt.; 28050, 6th Border Regt.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Thomas Ashton, 28050, 6 (S) Bn Border Regt. Date and Place of Death: 4.10.17 in Action Belgm. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - James E. £6 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Thomas. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Jane Ashton. Relationship: Mother. Address: 14, James Street, Earby, Colne.
Thomas was killed in action during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Battle of Broodseinde, 4 October.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
ASHTON, Tom, aged 20, Border Regiment, 14, James Street, [Earby], killed in action.
ASHTON, Thomas Billows, 4th October, 1917. [Additional]
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Thomas ASHTON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Border Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division
Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records
Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records
Surname: ASHTON
Forename(s): Thomas
Born: Addingham, Yorks
Residence:
Enlisted: Addingham
Number: 28050
Rank: Private
Regiment: Border Regiment
Battalion: 6th Battalion
Decorations:
Died Date: 04/10/17
Died How: Killed in action
Theatre of War: France & Flanders
Notes: Formerly 3230, Westmorland & Cumberland Yeo.
Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records
CWGC Data for Soldier Records
Surname: ASHTON
Forename(s): Thomas
Country of Service: United Kingdom
Service Number: 28050
Rank: Private
Regiment: Border Regiment
Unit: 6th Bn.
Age: 20
Awards:
Died Date: 04/10/1917
Additional Information: Son of Mr. J. E. and Mrs. J. Ashton, of 14, James St., Earby, Colne, Lancs. Native of Addingham, Ilkley, Yorks. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: DEARLY LOVED)
View Additional Text
View Additional Text For Soldier Records
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966
1956
ASHTON James Ellis of 16 Hothfield-street Silsden Yorkshire died 25 February 1956 at Woodlands Orthopaedic Hospital Rawdon Yorkshire Probate London 23 March to Richard Ashton master electrician. Effects £2207 7s. 6d.
---
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
16 February 1917
ADDINGHAM - SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Pte. T. Ashton writes:- "I met a good few Addingham lads at the base. The battalion we reinforced is about 40 miles behind the line for a few weeks' rest, getting ready for the spring I expect. Our billet is a small barn and out here it is considered a decent place. It has done nothing but freeze out here for a fortnight."
Other letters and postcards acknowledging receipt of parcels have been received from:- Sergt. Jack Brown; Pte. W. Burke; Harry Town; J. Parkinson; N. Ryder; F. W. Sutcliffe and C. Smith.
23 March 1917
ADDINGHAM - SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out.
Harry Town, of the Cameron Highlanders, writes:- "Parcel just to my liking. I also read letters in the 'Craven Herald' from William Whitaker and T. Ashton. William seems to be having quite a good time with the submarine work when he says 'Tally ho' round Bark Hill isn't in it. I havn't seen Ashton since he left the base, but by what I can gather their battalion has been out 'resting.' If it was a rest like we had, it will be some rest indeed. What we have been doing is making a railway embankment, that is our rest, worse off than in the trenches except for a few 'whiz bangs' and cold iron flying about, and I expect there will be more this spring; as the old saying goes 'if a woman sits on a wasp it's a sigh of an early spring."
20 April 1917
ADDINGHAM - NEWS FROM THE 'BOYS'
Tom Ashton writes [to Mr. Flint]:- "Thanks for parcel. We have been spending our time training for open warfare, doing out-post duty, attacking across open country &c. We were out on night duty last night,- rather a slow job on a cold night. I've met quite a lot of Addingham lads lately, I think about all the R.E.'s, Pat Holmes, Tom Throup, and company."
08 June 1917
ADDINGHAM - NEWS OF THE 'BOYS'
Pte. Tom Ashton writes:- "Your parcel safely received. We have been out of the line about eleven days and we are doing a bit of training previous to going in again. I received a letter from Dick in which he says P. Brown had died. I am very sorry to hear it, as it is the second lad of Mr. Brown's and in short time. When you come to look round the old village has had a very rough time of it. I hope that this year will see the end of the war. I dare say there will be some big doings out here shortly, and then perhaps we shall be able to weigh things up a bit. We are winning, but how fast it is hard to say."
17 August 1917
ADDINGHAM - PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-
Private T. Ashton:- "Thanks for parcel which could not have come at a better time. We came out on Sunday night after fourteen days of it, and I can assure you I wasn't sorry to get out of it for a bit. I think we are out for about six days. I suppose A. Walker is out here. It is not any good passing any opinion about the war; all I know is that the lads have given them a rough time this last two days just about here. I was sorry to hear you were expecting to join up. I know you are willing to do your bit, but I think there are a lot of young fellows knocking about that ought to be out."
19 October 1917
ASHTON - Killed in France, Private Tom Ashton, Border Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ashton, 14, James Street, Earby, formerly of Addingham, aged 20 years.
19 October 1917
ADDINGHAM - A MILITARY MEDAL WINNER
Among many letters received from soldiers to whom parcels have been sent from Addingham, the following contain points of interest:-
Corporal James Hillbeck:- "It is a right treat to get some Woodbines from good old Addingham. I am sure there's not another village where the lads are as much thought of and there are not many who have not got some of their loved ones out here. I have seen a few of the Addingham lads just lately - Harry Spencer, Bunt Atkinson, Tom Ashton, and George Fisher, and they all looked well."...
19 October 1917
ANOTHER ADDINGHAM LAD LOST
We regret to announce the loss of another Addingham lad in the person of Private Tom Ashton, of the Border Regiment, aged 20 years, killed by a shell in France. News came on Wednesday from his mother to a friend in Addingham.
Deceased is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ashton, formerly of Addingham, and now residing at 14, James Street, Earby. Pte. Ashton, previous to joining up, was employed by Mr. Jackson, Lamb Ghyll Farm, Addingham, and was highly esteemed. Until some time after the outbreak of the war, Mr. Ashton was engaged in business at Addingham as a butcher and cattle dealer, and is well known throughout the district.
The sympathy of many friends will go out to them in this sad bereavement.
26 October 1917
EARBY - THE LATE PRIVATE TOM ASHTON
We give a portrait of Private Tom Ashton, of the Border Regiment, aged 20 years, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ashton, formerly of Addingham, and now of 14 St. James Street, Earby, whose death in action in France was recorded in our last week's issue. Deceased was a grandson of Mr. Thos. Billows, Primrose Hill, Skipton, and before leaving Addingham he served as a chorister in the Addingham Parish Church. He assisted his father as farmer and butcher up to leaving Addingham, and afterwards worked in the timber yard for Messrs. Green, of Silsden. Private Ashton joined the Cumberland and Westmorland Yeomanry on April 17th 1915, at Penrith.
A letter has been received by Mrs. Ashton from Private J. Jackson, of the Border Regiment, France, which states:- "I was in the same trench a few yards away when a shell which we never heard came. His end was sudden. It will be some consolation to you to know that he suffered no pain, death being instantaneous. I need not tell you how much both I and all the rest in the Company liked him, but we, along with you, have the consolation of knowing that the died like he would have wished, fighting for those at home. I hope you will have the strength to bear up under the blow that has befallen you. I hope to be home on leave soon, and will have an opportunity of telling you where he is buried, and some particulars you would like to know."
Sergeant T. R. Starkey of the deceased's Company, writes:- "It is with regret that I have to inform you that your son, Pte. Ashton, fell in action on the morning of the 4th inst. He suffered no pain, and his death was instantaneous, being killed by a shell. He was a good soldier, and was well respected by everyone in the platoon. Hoping this short letter will console you in your great loss, please accept the sympathy from us all."
16 November 1917
ADDINGHAM - MEMORIAL SERVICE
A special service was held at the Parish Church on Sunday evening in memory of the late Pte. Tom Ashton and Pte. T. K. Hadley, who laid down their lives for King and Country in France.
The Rector (Rev. J. W. Hall) preached an impressive sermon from the text 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' He spoke of their association with the life of the village, and also of Pte. Ashton's association with the Church, serving in the choir and also as bell-ringer. Mr. West, of Bingley, presided at the organ, and before the services played 'O rest in the Lord'. The hymns sung were 'On the resurrection morn', 'Forever with the Lord', 'Brief life is here our portion', and 'Eternal Father strong to save'. The Dead March was played at the conclusion of the service. There was a large congregation.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
16 February 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-
Pte. T. Ashton writes:- "Thanks for Christmas parcel which I received in good condition. We have been on the move the last fortnight, so I think it will have been following me about. I met a good few Addingham lads at the base. The battalion we reinforced is about 40 miles behind the line for a few weeks' rest, getting ready for the spring, I expect. Our billet is a small barn, and out here it is considered a decent place. It has done nothing but freeze out here for a fortnight; a pair of skates and nothing to do, I think we could have an enjoyable time."
23 March 1917
ADDINGHAM - SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-
Harry Town, of the Cameron Highlanders, writes:- "Parcel just to my liking. I also read letters in the local paper from William Whitaker and T. Ashton. William seems to be having quite a good time with the submarine work when he says tally ho round Bark Hill isn't in it. I haven't seen Ashton since he left the base, but by what I can gather their battalion has been out resting. If it was a rest like we had, it will be some rest indeed. What we have been doing is making a railway embankment, that is our rest, worse off than in the trenches except for a few 'whiz bangs' and old iron flying about, and I expect there will be more this spring. As the old saying goes, 'If a woman sits on a wasp it's a sign of an early spring'."
20 April 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels:-
Tom Ashton writes:-"Thanks for parcel. I have been busy attending concerts, etc., this last week. It is not often you get the chance of seeing a good concert party out here, but we've had the corps party here for three days and the divisional for the same, and they gave some good shows; you know they made you forget you were in France for the time being. We've been at this village nearly a fortnight; it's a good way behind the lines and a decent size; it's not often we strike so lucky. We have been spending our time training for open warfare, doing out-post duty, attacking across open country, etc. We were out on night duty last night, rather a slow job on a cold night. I've met quite a lot of Addingham lads lately, I think about all the R.E.'s, Pal Holmes, Tom Throup, and company."
08 June 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS
Mr.Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels:-
Pte. Tom Ashton writes:- "Your parcel safely received. We are having lovely weather out here, a trifle too hot if anything for marching. We moved yesterday from one village to another, a matter of about seven miles; our packs were carried for us, so it wasn't so bad. We've been out of the line about 11 days, and we are doing a bit of training previous to going in again. I received a letter from Dick, in which he says, P. Brown had died. I am very sorry to hear it, as it is the second lad of Mr. Brown's, and in short time. When you come to look round, the old village has had a very rough time of it. I hope that this year will see the end of the war. I dare say there will be same big doing out here shortly, and then perhaps we shall be able to weigh things up a bit. We are winning., but how fast it is hard to say."
27 July 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-
Corpl. J. Hilbeck writes:- "Thanks for parcel. I was sorry when I heard about some more of the Addingham lads going under. By the look of things there is not going to be many of us to answer the roll call . You never know who's turn it will be next, but you have to hope you will be one of the lucky ones. It is very trying for our loved ones at home, and to tell you the truth I do not see any signs of the end being in sight. We get it a bit rough here sometimes, but I am still the right end up, and that is something to be thankful for. I saw Tom Ashton and Harry Spencer a few weeks ago, and they both looked well.
17 August 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:-
Pte. T. Ashton writes:- Thanks for parcel which could not have come at a better time. We came out on Sunday night after fourteen days of it, and I can assure you I wasn't sorry to get out of it for a bit. I think we are out for about six days. I suppose A. Walker is out here. It is not any good passing any opinion about the war. All I know is that the lads have given him a rough time this last two days just about here. I was sorry hear you were expecting to join up. I know you are willing to do your bit, but I think there are a lot of young fellows knocking about that ought to be out.
19 October 1917
ASHTON - Killed in action, Pte. Tom Ashton, of the Border Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ashton, formerly of Addingham, and now residing at 14, James Street, Earby, aged 20.
19 October 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Atack has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:-
Corpl. James Hilbeck writes:- Just a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter and parcel which I received to-day. It is a right treat to get some Woodbines from dear old Addingham. I am sure there's not another village where the lads are as much thought of, and there are not many who have not got some of their loved ones out here. I have seen a few of the Addingham lads lately, Harry Spencer, Bunt Atkinson, Tom Ashton, and George Fisher, and they all looked well. Sorry to hear Mr. Flint had to join up. I am sure he deserves the present for the good work he has done for the lads. Well, I am sure they could not have wished for a better man to take his place than you, and you will be doing your duty to your country by looking after the lads out here. We are having grand weather out here, and old Fritz looks like getting it hot.
In a letter to his wife, Corpl. Hilbeck says he has won the Military Medal for work done with an advance party through heavy shell fire. Corpl. Hilbeck is in the Royal Engineers, and prior to joining up was engaged in wood-leading for Messrs. Brear and Sons, Saw Mills, Addingham.
19 October 1917
ANOTHER ADDINGHAM SOLDIER KILLED
We regret to announce the loss of another Addingham lad in the person of Pte. Tom Ashton, of the Border Regiment, who has been killed by a shell in France. News came on Wednesday from his mother to a friend in Addingham. Deceased is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Ashton, formerly of Addingham, and now residing at 14, James Street, Earby. Pte. Ashton, previous to joining up, was employed by Mr. Jackson Lumb, Ghyll Farm, Addingham, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Until some time after the outbreak of the war, Mr. Ashton was engaged in business at Addingham as a butcher and cattle dealer, and is well known throughout the district. The sympathy of their many friends will go out to them in their sad bereavement. He was 20 years of age.
26 October 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS' LETTERS
The following letters have been received in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:-
Pte. Craven Smith, of the West Yorks., writes from hospital in Manchester:- Thanks for letter and P.O. I am feeling very much better, but the doctor says I shall be a good time before I am fit for active service again. I am suffering from trench fever. Sorry to hear that Willie Horsman and Tom Ashton have been killed. May God rest their souls. I hope their parents will accept my sympathy in their sad bereavement. It is two years come November since I left Old England for active service, and neither doctor's pills of Fritz's shells have got me yet. It has been a black week for us according to the papers, but they say it is always darkest before the dawn, so cheer up! Thank the people at home for the way they have helped us in this long trying struggle against German kultur. When we come to look at the casualties in our own village it shows you that the Colonials don't do all the fighting. I hope you will write again soon, it brightens a fellow up to have a letter from his friends. Wishing you every success in your good work.
16 November 1917
ADDINGHAM
MEMORIAL SERVICE - A special memorial service was held at the Parish Church on Sunday evening last in memory of the late Pte. Tom Ashton and Pte. S. K. Hadley, who laid down their lives for King and country in France. The rector (Rev. J. W. Hall) preached a very impressive sermon from the text "Greater love bath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." He spoke of their association with the life of the village, and of Pte. Ashton's association with the church, serving in the choir and also as bell ringer. Mr. West, of Bingley, presided at the organ, and before the services played 'O rest in the Lord.' The hymns snag were 'On the resurrection morn,' 'For ever with the Lord,' 'Brief life is here our portion,' and 'Eternal Father, strong to save.' The 'Dead march' in 'Saul' was played at the conclusion of the service. There was a large congregation.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.