Thomas ASHTON

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.