BORN COTTINGHAM, 19/11/1895. SON OF CHARLES WILLIAM ASHTON (1860-1927) & MARY HANNAH LAWSON (1859-1937), OF 151 HALLGATE, COTTINGHAM (WAR PENSION ADDRESS). SON OF A PLUMBER AND GAS FITTER. HE HAD FIVE BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS. WORKED AS A PLUMBER AND IRON MONGER.
HE ENLISTED IN HULL, ON 16/11/1914, AGED 20. SERVED AS A PRIVATE, IN THE 4TH & 5TH EAST YORKSHIRE RESERVE BATTALIONS. TRAINED AT RIPON. POSTED TO FRANCE ON 17/04/1915. RECEIVED BULLET WOUNDS, TO THE HAND, WRIST AND HEAD ON 23/07/1916. RETURNED TO ENGLAND ON 28/07/1916. ON RECOVERY, HE WAS COMMISSIONED TO SECOND LIEUTENANT, IN THE WEST RIDING REGIMENT. TRANSFERRED TO THE NEWLY CREATED ROYAL AIR FORCE. HE WAS KILLED ON THE SOMME, ON 23/07/1918, AGED 22.
HIS NAME IS RECORDED ON THE COTTINGHAM WW1 MEMORIAL AND ON THE HULL TECHNICAL COLLEGE MEMORIAL.
