Pte 51711 George Ashton

• Age: 22
• From: Stalybridge
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 21st March 1918
• Commemorated at: Stalybridge (new St George) Cy
  Panel Ref: S.West 816

George was born  on the 30th July 1895, the son of Hugh Ashton and his wife Martha (nee Reynolds). His parents were married on 28th July 1890 in St Matthew's Church, Carver Street in Sheffield. George was baptised on the 09th October 1895 at St John's Church, Hurst, Ashton Under Lyne, his father was a labourer of Hazlehurst. 

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 79 Bentinck Street, Ashton Under Lyne. George is five years of age and shown as having been born at Hazlehurst, Lancashire. He lives with his parents and four siblings. His father is a 41 year old manager of a milk shop born in Stalybridge, whilst his mother is 36 years of age and was born in Sheffield. His siblings are recorded as; Herbert aged 9 and born in Mossley, Jane aged 7 born in Stalybridge, Ann aged 3 born in Hazlehurst and newborn Lucy.

By 1911 the family have moved to 2 Gledhall Street, Stalybridge. George is now aged 15 and employed as a cotton weaver, he lives with his parents and seven siblings. His father is now shown as a 50 year old farm labourer and his mother is 46 years old, they have been married for 20 years and have had 10 children, eight of whom have survived. George's siblings recorded in the household are noted as; Herbert a 19 year old butcher's assistant, Jane a 17 year old cotton weaver, Ann a 13 year old cotton weaver, Harry is 9, Lucy is 7 and are at school, Hugh is 3 years old and James is a newborn.  

His father died, aged 53, on the 24th December 1913 and was buried on the 27th at St George’s, Stalybridge, his address 2 Gledhall Street.    

Prior to his enlistment George had been employed as a farm labourer. 

George enlisted on 10^th September 1915 as Rifleman 3875 in the 3/6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He embarked from Folkestone - Bolougne on 27th July 1916, reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 29th July. He was posted to the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 06th August 1916 as Private 51711, he subsequently transferred to the 20th Battalion of K.L.R. from 05th September 1916 as Private 51711.

George returned home due to ill health and his discharge papers show that he arrived in the UK on 11th June 1917 aged 22 years and 25 days and is described as being 5'4 and a half inches tall, a cowman by trade. He was discharged on the 03rd August 1917 being "no longer physically fit for war service". They record him as a "Steady and reliable man" and note that his condition, Ventricular Heart Disease, as "being aggravated by active service". He was given a Silver War Badge numbered 127010 on the 26th September 1917.

George died on the 21st March 1918 aged 22.

He now rests at Stalybridge (New St. George) Churchyard, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“REMEMBRANCE NOT FOR A DAY, BUT FOR EVER”

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon the author of the book The Liverpool Rifles for providing details of George's service with the 6th Rifles.  

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