L/Cpl 37887 William Ashcroft

• Age: 22
• From: Pemberton, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

William Ashcroft was born in 1896 at Pemberton, Wigan, and resided at 10 Brook Lane, Lamberhead Green, Pemberton, Wigan. He was the son of Thomas and Susannah Ashcroft (nee Grimshaw). They married on the 01st January 1895 in Pemberton. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 19, Brook Lane, Lamberhead Green, Pemberton, Wigan.  His father, Thomas, is aged 25, born 1876 in Pemberton and is a colliery locomotive engine stoker, whilst his mother, Susannah, is also aged 25,  and was born in Billinge, she has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they have three children who were all born in Pemberton, William aged 5, born 1896, Samuel aged 4, born 1897 and Mary aged 1, born 1900.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 10, Brook Lane, Lamberhead Green, Pemberton, Wigan. His father Thomas is now recorded as being 37, (now showing year of birth as 1874) he is a colliery surface stoker and his mother Susannah is also shown as being aged 37, (year of birth now 1874) and has no occupation listed. They have been married for sixteen years and have had eight children of which one had sadly died. At the time of the Census they have six children living with them, William aged 15, and employed at a colliery (surface screens), Nellie aged 11 (Name shown in 1901 Census was Mary), Elizabeth aged 9, born 1902, Annie aged 7, born 1904 and Ethel aged 5, born 1906 are all at school and Henry aged 1, born 1910.

Prior to enlisting William was working as a surface worker at Pemberton Colliery.

William enlisted in Seaforth, Liverpool and was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance-Corporal No 37887 when he was killed in action on the 28^th March, 1918 aged 22 during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion Diary gives an insight into the chaotic events of the day

28^th March

At about 6am the enemy commenced to shell heavily the whole of the forward line and brought Trench Mortars and MACHINE Guns into action.

FOLIES was shelled and the area in the rear of the village as far back as LE QUESNEL.

Rations were received at dawn and parties were organised to carry them to the Companies on the right. Owing to the heavy fire, however, it was not possible to get them up.

Heavy fighting was in progress on the right from soon after dawn and at 8am the enemy was reported to be in possession of BOUCHOIR and progressing towards the BEETROOT FACTORY. About 10am  the 59^th Infy Brigade was notified that it was relieved by the French and the Battalions of that Brigade were at once withdrawn in the direction of LE QUESNEL.

At noon the enemy was bombarding the village and vicinity heavily and reports were received that he was in occupation of WARVILLERS on the left and ARVILLERS on the right.

The front line East of FOLIES continued to resist until about 2pm when the order was received from the 89^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the Battalions were relieved by the French and would withdraw at once to MEZIERES, where the men would be fed. Companies withdrew under some shellingand very heavy M.G. and rifle fire from the left , through K10 -K3 – North side LE QUESNEL to the main ROYE road and reorganised about D.29 c. The march from this point was conducted in good order despite the congested roads.

At MEZIERES it was decided to continue a rearward movement and the march was resumed via VILLERS-MOREUIL – MORISEL – ROUVREL, which village was reached about 7pm and the Battalion billeted. The men had marched 13 miles from the left position in good order and with practically no straggling. They were exhausted on arrival at ROUVREL, but in good heart.

Echelon ‘A’ of the Transport joined the Battalion at this village and the men were fed immediately on arrival. The night passed without incident.   

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

William is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Wigan Cenotaph

St John the Divine Church, Church St, Pemberton, Wigan. 

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