Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Victor Edward William Ash was an Iron Moulder born on the 7th of November, 1887 in Adelaide, Australia. He went to school at Aldgate, Bridgewater and Currie Street, and his religion was the Church of England. Before enlistment, he resided with his wife, Mrs. Adelaide Vic Ash at 1 Symons place, Adelaide, South Australia. His parents, William and Isabel Ash lived at 1 Devon St, Goodwood, South Australia. Victor E. W. Ash did not participate in any previous military services. According to the Attestation Papers of Persons Enlisted For Service Abroad, he was 5 feet and 4¾ inches tall and weighed 26lbs. He had fair complexion, blue eyes and long hair. The Attestation Paper is a series of forms which were compulsory for every soldier to complete in order to enlist. It contains detailed information on a soldier, particularly before their enlistment.

Victor E. W. Ash enlisted on the 23rd of April 1915 as a Private at the age of 27 years and 5 months. His service number was 1176. He had kept an Active Service Form and a Purport, which contained extensive information on what he did during his period of service (for example, when he is promoted, demoted or transferred). The Active Service form and the Purport were completed over time, from when a soldier is enlisted until he is discharged.

His unit, the 9th Light Horse Regiment, embarked from Adelaide on board Star Of England on the 21st of September 1915. He had taken on strength of 9th Light Horse Regiment on the 18th of December, and disembarked at Alexandria on the 27th of December. His unit, the 9th Light Horse Regiment marched out to Serapeum on the 27th of February, 1916. They got into action in just a month, involving themselves in the advance that followed the Turks’ retreat back across the desert in Egypt.

On the 12th of November, he transferred from 9th Light Horse Regiment to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Pigeon Corps and returned to the 9th Light Horse Regiment on the 29th of January, 1917. The role of the Pigeon Corps was to provide an alternative means of communications between coastal defence areas following an invasion or damage to existing communications infrastructure by the enemy. At this point, the advance had reached the Palestine frontier and was involved in the fighting to secure the Turkish outposts.

However, then, Victor E. W. Ash fell sick from the malaria he had contracted in Jordan Valley, Egypt, Palestine. He was admitted to the 14th Army General Hospital on the 24th of August, 1917, recovered quickly and rejoined his unit the next day. He was then promoted to Corporal on the 22nd of June, 1918. On the 1st of April, 1919, the mother of my soldier, Isabel Ash sent an letter to the army, inquiring about the health of her son. She had been very worried for him, as it was reported that he had contracted malaria. She received a reply on the 10th of April from the Honorary Secretary, stating that Victor E. W. Ash was healthy and well. Quoting directly from the reply: ‘...from our Red Cross Commissioners, in which they notify that Corporal Ash is well and with his unit.’ He was promoted to a Sergeant on the 17th of May, 1919. Finally, the regiment sailed for home on the 10th of July. Victor E. W. Ash was discharged on the 10th of October, 1919. In his unit, 190 were killed, 481 were wounded.

He returned home safely after the war, and received the Star Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, which were given to all who served overseas during the Great War. Ash also participated in World War II. His service number in WWII was N154632. He also came home from the Second World War. He is currently being honoured on the second Honour Board at the Adelaide Holy Trinity Church.

Bibliography

Ozatwar, Australian Corps of Signals Pigeon Service, http://www.ozatwar.com/ausarmy/acosps.htm, last accessed 17 September 2017.

RSL Virtual War Memorial, Victor Edward Victor William ASH, https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/152406, last accessed 12 September 2017.

RSL Virtual War Memorial, 9th Light Horse Regiment, https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/units/68, last accessed 12 September 2017.

RSL Virtual War Memorial, World War 1,

https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/conflicts/2, last accessed 14 September 2017.

The Australian Imperial Force, Victor Edward William ASH, https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=8072, last accessed 12 September 2017.

Son of William Charles James Beaumont ASH and Isabel nee BIGG