Name
Charles John Ashbourne (Smith)
1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/08/1915
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9092
Essex Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TWELVE TREE COPSE CEMETERY
Sp. Mem. A. 41
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Buntingford memorials
Pre War
Charles John Ashbourn[e] was born in 1889 in Buntingford, Herts, the son of Frederick and Martha Ashbourne (nee Smith). He was one of five children.
His father had been born in Warwickshire and his mother in Royston and were married on 11 August 1877 in Bassingbourne, Cambs
On the 1891 Census the family were living at 7 Grimley Building, Northfield, Worcestershire, where his father was working as a gardener.
It has not been possible to located Charles on the 1911 Census, but his brother Ernest was living as a boarder, without any other family members, in Wednesfield, Staffordshire and working as an iron driller, and his mother Martha was also a lodger in Aston, Birmingham (with no occupation).
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Warley, Essex and joined the Essex Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion in the Balkans from 25 April 1915.
Charles died of wounds on 7 August 1915 in Gallipoli and was buried at Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Helles, Turkey.
Additional Information
His 'sister' and legatee Mrs Jenny Hill received a war gratuity of £5 10s and pay owing of £18 6s 10d.
His mother Mrs 'Alice' Ashbourne, received a pension initially of 3s 6d a week, rising to 5 shillings a week and increased again when his brother George died.
His brother George Ashbourne served with the Cheshire Regiment and died of wounds on 10 June 1917. Mothers address on pension records was 18 Dolday, Worcester.
N.B. Why Charles changed his surname to his mother's maiden name of Smith is not known. The family moved around the country which has created difficulties in tracking them down. The five children were born in Harlow, Essex, Liverpool, Lancs, Royston, Herts, Buntingford, Herts and Worcester, Warwickshire according to the 1891 Census. No record has been found for the death of his mother Martha, but it seems she may have changed her name to Alice on pension records. If anyone can help to solve these conundrums please let us know.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
