2nd Lieut Frederic Ashcroft

• Age: 31
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Neuville-vitasse Rd Cem
  Panel Ref: B.1

Frederic was born in Liverpool, in 1886, the son of Charles Wesley Ashcroft and his wife Alice Mason (nee Hutchinson) who were married in Liverpool in 1877.

At the time of the 1891 census the family are living at 9 Derwent Square, Stoneycroft, Liverpool.

Frederic was 5 years old and had five brothers: William aged 9, Edward aged 9, Harold 6, Alec Hutchinson 3 and Arthur aged 7 months. Charles Wesley Ashcroft was 39 and recorded as a miller, and his wife Alice was 38 (Alice was also the daughter of a corn miller). Also living in the household are Mary Lord, a 26 year old governess and Margaret Evans a 20 year old housemaid.

By the time of the 1901 census the family had moved across the River Mersey to 16 Waterford Road, Oxton, Birkenhead.

Charles is recorded as a corn miller, Alice has had two more children: Robert who is now 10, and Alice aged 5. Frederic’s brother William is a Cambridge undergraduate, Edward is an office clerk in a corn millers, and Frederic and the rest of his siblings are at school. Also living in the household are Esther Lawrenson a housemaid aged 27, Pattie Wright aged 16 a children's nurse and a kitchen maid Margaret Shone aged 15.

Frederic is recorded as a visitor in the 1911 census, in the household of Clarence and Eunice Hackman in Godalming. His parents are still living at 16 Waterford Road with four of their eight children (Alice has borne nine children but only eight had survived): William is now 29 and a solicitor, Edward 28 and a miller’s clerk, Arthur is an apprentice miller and Robert is 18 and still at school. The family have four staff: cook Annie Lawrenson, Kitchen maid Sarah Ann Hobson, housemaid Harriet Quayle and housemaid Nellie Anglesey.

Frederic was educated at Birkenhead School, from 1896 to1905. During his time at the school he became a School Prefect and Captain of the cricket XI, as well as playing for the school football XV team. Frederick Ashcroft actually played in the cricket team for four years, and in his last year had scored more runs than any other pupil had done in any one year spent at the school, besides taking over a hundred wickets. On the football field, his prowess was not to be outdone, for he played as a remarkably good half-back. Sadly, sometime before leaving Birkenhead School, he was injured playing a football game, which prevented him playing football when he went on to Emmanual College, Cambridge University with a Classical Exhibition. On gaining his degree B.A. degree in Classics in 1908, he became a Schoolmaster, teaching at Hillside, Godalming, and later at Rhos-on-Sea Preparatory School. In his spare time he had also played rugby for the Birkenhead Park Rugby Football Club.

On the 1st Sept 1914, at the age of 28 and 150 days, and describing himself as a school master, he enlisted as Pte 15566 into the ranks of the 17th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment. His attestation papers describe him as 5ft 3 ins, weighing 138lbs with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair, and religion Wesleyan. NOK father Charles Wesley Ashcroft, 16 Waterford Road, Oxton. He trained at Prescot, Knowsley, Grantham, and on Salisbury Plain. He was appointed an unpaid R/Cpl on 21st April 1915. During his training he applied for, and was granted, a commission, as a Second Lieutenant, in the 18th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, but was not drafted over to France, until January, 1917.

Second Lieutenant Ashcroft served with his battalion until he was killed in action on 9th April, 1917.

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded. 

Second Lieutenant Frederic Ashcroft's Commanding Officer wrote the following letter to his parents

"I am sorry to have to write and tell you that your son was killed in action on the 9th whilst leading his platoon. I cannot yet realise that I have lost him as he was one of the finest men I have met in my life. He was loved by his men as it is only natural, his one thought being for their comfort and happiness, and I know his loss will be greatly felt by not only his men but the remainder of the company. I feel I cannot express my thoughts in writing, but I feel sure you will appreciate how deeply I feel for you in your irreparable loss. Will you please also convey my sympathies to his mother and brothers."

To him a soldier's life was particularly distasteful, and few can have realised how great was the sacrifice he made in leaving a life which he enjoyed thoroughly for one which his sensitive nature made very hard for him. Of a simple and affectionate disposition, but shy and reserved, he was not well known to many, but all respected him and saw in him a man of high ideals and straight character. He loved his work, and was eminently suited to it, and his death is among the most pathetic of all that the war has caused when one considers how he must have suffered in a life for which he was but little fitted.

As a schoolmaster he had the knack of making the boys his friends, and his loss was felt as a personal one by many who had been taught by him. The secret of his influence was his beautiful simplicity and natural goodness.

Second Lieutenant Frederic Ashcroft is buried in Plot 1, Row B, Grave 1, Neuville. Vitasse Road Cemetery, France.

He is also commemorated on the following war memorials:

A window in Birkenhead School Chapel, and on a separate brass plaque in the same chapel

Birkenhead School Memorial Book

Birkenhead Park Rugby Club Roll of Honour

Emmanuel College, Cambridge

Rhos on Sea School

Ashcroft, Frederic

College Notes: Came up to read Classics in 1905. BA 1908.
Military Service: 2nd Lieutenant 18th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment.) Killed in action 9 April 1917 in the Armentières area. His Company commander wrote - “He was loved by his men ... his one thought being their comfort and happiness”.

Soldiers Effects to father Charles Wesley, no Pension record found

Probate 1917

Ashcroft Frederic of 16 Waterford Road, Birkenhead Second Lieutenant 18th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment died 9th April 1917 in France on Active Service administration London 16 May to Charles Wesley Ashcroft Colin Miller. Effects £1909 0s 2d.

Two of his brothers also fell. Edward, who served as a Lieutenant in the 19th Kings Liverpool, died of his wounds at the age of 35 on the 12th May 1918, he had been a POW. News of his death did not reach the family until October 1918. Edward is buried in Harlebeke cemetery, Belgium. Also, William, who served as a Lieutenant in the 17th Kings Liverpool, was killed on 22nd March, 1918 at the age of 36. William is buried at Savy cemetery, St Quentin, France.

Their father Charles was made a Justice of the Peace in July 1918. An extract from the Birkenhead News on 27th July reads:

"Mr Charles Wesley Ashcroft of 16 Waterford Road, Oxton, Birkenhead is a partner in the firm of Messrs. E.Hutchinson and Sons, The Mersey Flour Mills, Burlington Street, Liverpool. Mr Ashcroft has been a leading member of the Palm Grove Wesleyan Church. He has not been an active participant in politics, although his sympathies are with the Liberal Party, but he has evinced an interest in local affairs. Mr Ashcroft in his leisure time is a keen golfer and angler. He has five sons serving their country, whilst two others have fallen during the war."

Frederic’s father died in 1952 aged 73. Alice, his mother, made a contribution to Birkenhead School in memory of her three sons that had died in the war. The donation was to build some steps from the playing fields to the gymnasium which were finished in 1955. In 2020, The Old Birkonian Society Council organised a memorial to recognise her funding contributions and have placed a plaque in their honour by the steps. The Old Birkonian Society website has photos of the three men with a short biography of each, and photos of the steps and memorial. (obs.org.uk/news-1)

Mother Alice died in Aled, Denbighshire in 1953 at the grand age of 101.

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