ASHTON, Harold
| Service Number: | 4126 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 September 1915, Holsworthy, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Oldham, Lancashire, England, 1889 |
| Home Town: | Burwood, Burwood, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Hastings School England |
| Occupation: | Railway Employee |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 12 September 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) Special Memorial A20 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Baulkham Hills William Thompson Masonic School War Memorial, Burwood Memorial Arch, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Sydney United Grand Lodge Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4126, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Holsworthy, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 4126, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 4126, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Aeneas, Sydney | |
| 12 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 4126, 2nd Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 4126 awm_unit: 2 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-09-12 |
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Harold ASHTON was born in Oldham, Lancashire, UK, on 28 March 1889, the son of John and Eliza Ashton (née Rothwell). He came to Australia when he was 12-years-old; it is thought to live with his uncle following the death of his father. On 21 February 1914 he joined the NSWGR&T as a cleaner in the Locomotive Branch, at Eveleigh. Previously he had been working as a baker. He was also a member of the United Ancient Order of Druids (Registered Friendly Society).
On 27 September 1915 he enlisted in the AIF with the rank of Private (Service Number 4126) and was assigned to the 13th Reinforcements to the 3rd Battalion. As next of kin he nominated his uncle, George Rothwell of Burwood, NSW.
After completing his basic training, he embarked at Sydney for Egypt aboard HMAT A60 ‘Aeneas’ on 20 December 1915. In Egypt he was transferred to the 2nd Infantry Battalion on 14 February 1916 and he embarked at Alexandria for France on 22 March 1916. Between 27 April 1916 and 4 May 1916, he received treatment for minor wounds on two occasions and for a corneal ulcer. On 27 May 1916 he was transferred to 1st Australian Brigade Headquarters but was transferred back to the 2nd Infantry Battalion on 27 July 1916. On 22 August 1916 he was sent for machine gun training and by the time he finished this, on 5 September 1916, his unit had moved to Belgium where he was killed in action on 12 September 1916, aged 27.
Harold’s gravesite is unknown, and he is commemorated by a special cross erected in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. His place of association is given as Burwood, NSW.
In his Will he nominated his mother, Eliza Ashton of Hastings in the UK, and his uncle, George Rothwell as joint beneficiaries.
(NAA B2455-3037003)
Submitted 9 May 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of James and Eliza ASHTON.
Member of the Chelmsford 261 Lodge
Commemorated in St Thomas Cemetery (Section G Grave 13), Enfield, New South Wales.
Mr. and Mrs. G. Rothwell, of Grantham street. Burwood, have received a cablegram stating that their nephew, Private Harold Ashton, has been killed in France. He was previously wounded. Deceased was a native of Hastings, Sussex, but for the past 12 years had been living with his uncle and aunt at Burwood. He was 26 years of age. Prior to enlisting he was employed at the Homebush railway sheds.
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