L/Cpl 14514 John Ashton

John Ashton (Jack) was born in Liverpool on the 05th March 1886 the son of Ellis Ashton and his wife Emma (née Dawber) who were married on the 03rd September 1874 at St Mary's Church, Edge Hill. Ellis was a 23 year old labourer of 5 Prescot Road, father John a labourer, whilst Emma was aged 17 of 9 Prescot Road, father John a quarryman.

Jack was baptised on the 23rd May 1886 at St Mary's Church, in West Derby Village. 

On the 1891 Census the Liverpool born family are living at 15 Back Lane, West Derby Village.

His father, Ellis, is aged 40, a general labourer, his mother, Emma, is aged 33. They have children listed as;  James aged 16, a harness cleaner (probably a groom at Croxteth Park), Fannie aged 12 and a scholar, Edith aged 10 and a scholar, Florence  aged 9 also a scholar, John aged 5 and also a scholar, Louise aged 3 and Thomas aged 1. 

His father died aged 46 in 1897 and was buried on the 16th December at West Derby Cemetery, his address at the time of his death was 3 Back Lane. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 3 Back Lane. His widowed mother, Emma, is aged 45, and a charwoman. She has five children living with her; James 26 and John 15 are domestic gardeners, Louise is 13, Thomas is 11, and Annie M. is 6. Also declared in the household is a grandson Ernest 3. 

Sadly his brother James died, aged 29, in 1904, also his married sister Edith McGann, died, aged 30, in 1910. They are both buried at West Derby Cemetery. 

On the 1911 Census the family are still living at 3 Back Lane. His mother, Emma, is aged 54, she has two children still at home with her; John 25, a labourer in a park (probably Croxteth), and Annie aged 16. Also declared in the household is a granddaughter Ethel Helen 2. 

Jack married 25 year old Elizabeth Fuller on the 09th July 1911 at St James' Church, West Derby. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Fuller of Butler Street, off Boaler Street. They had three children John Leslie born in 1912, James born in 1913 and Thomas born in 1915 but who sadly died in infancy with broncho pneumonia.

He enlisted on the 09th September 1914 at Liverpool, joining the 14th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 14514. He gave his age as 20 years and 120 days and occupation as a gardener, address 12 Cambria Street, off Boaler Street. He was described as being five feet seven inches tall, weighed 140lbs, 38” chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his wife Elizabeth, of 12 Cambria Street. 

The 14th (Service) Battalion was formed at Seaforth in September/October 1914 and they came under the orders of 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. His service papers have survived and are quite detailed. 

05.09.15 - Embarked for France, arriving Boulogne. 

28.10.15 - Embarked for the Balkans. 

15.03.16 - Given 96 hours F.P.1 for insubordination. 

23.07.16 - Admitted to 58 F.A. with diarrhoea. 

27.07.16 - Admitted to 5 Canadian Gen. Hospital at Salonika with dysentery. 

08.08.16 - To hospital ship “Gascon”. 

11.08.16 - Admitted to hospital at Mtarfa, Malta. 

26.08.16 - To Ghajn Tuffieha for convalescence. 

11.09.16 - To All Saints for convalescence. 

07.07.17 - Granted Class I proficiency pay. 

27.11.17 - Appointed unpaid L/Cpl whilst in charge of Regimental Police. 

Service record partially destroyed here:- 

17.04.18 - Salonika 

June 1918 – 14/KLR left Division and moved to France. 

19.06.18 - Evacuated from Itea, Greece. (A protected sea route to Taranto from Salonika). 

20.06.18 - Arrived Taranto, Italy. (A major rail hub - and the start/end of an eight day overland route from Taranto, Italy to Cherbourg, France). 

23.07.18 - Btn. attached to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division. 

24.07.18 - Appointed paid L/Cpl. 

13.08.18 - Posted to L.H.Y.(Lancs Hussars Yeomanry) [18th Bn. KLR] 

23. ? - Sick. 

01.02.19 - Rejoined Battalion. 

02.02.19 - To X(10) Corps demob centre.

07.02.19 - To UK for release.

Jack's health was assessed whilst passing through Huy, Belgium and it was thought he was suffering with Malaria. Not long after arriving home his service notes contain the awful news. 

Belmont Aux. Military Hospital, Liverpool on 24th Feb 1919.

Admitted 2pm in a collapsed condition, breathing difficult, pulse very weak.  

Temp 102, pulse 124, R(?)36. 

Died 6.40 p.m 25/2/19 - Double pneumonia. 

The cause of death was contracted during Military Service. 

Jack now rests at West Derby Cemetery in Liverpool where his headstone bears the epitaph:

LOOK PROUDLY TO HEAVEN FROM THE DEATHBED OF FAME

This is a quote from the poem Lochiel's Warning by Thomas Campbell.

There are 111 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 129 of the 1939-1945 war here. Those whose graves are not marked by headstones are named on 2 denominational Screen Wall memorials. The graves are scattered throughout the cemetery in denominational plots. There are also 2 Foreign National war burials.

His widow received his soldiers effects, including a War Gratuity of £25 10s, and on the 01st September 1919 she received a 25s 5d per week pension for her two children. 

He earned his 3 medals and Elizabeth signed for his plaque and scroll. 

On the first anniversary of his death his wife placed a notice in the Liverpool Daily Post on Wednesday 25 February 1920: 

ROLL OF HONOUR.  

IN MEMORIUM.  

ASHTON - ln loving memory of Lce.-Corpl. J. ASHTON (Jack), 14th King’s Liverpool Regiment, who died of pneumonia, February 25, 1919, at Belmont-road Military Hospital. — Sadly missed by Wife and Children, 12, Cambria –street, Liverpool. 

John is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 16 Left.

On the 1921 Census Elizabeth, aged 35, and her two sons are still living at Cambria Street. She is now employed as an assurance agent for British Legal & United Provident of South John Street.  

His mother died, aged 65, in 1922 and was buried on the 28th April 1922 at West Derby Cemetery, her address at the time of her death was 3 Back Lane. 

Elizabeth and her two sons are still together on the 1939 Register, Elizabeth born on 15th August 1885, John L. born on 02nd January 1902 and James born on 10th April 1913.  

Elizabeth died, aged 67, in 1952 and was buried on the 31st December 1952 at West Derby Cemetery, her address 12 Cambria Street. 

We currently have no further information on John Ashton, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.