Name
Frederick Ashby
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/10/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/7850
The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 106 to 108.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Knebworth Village Memorial (Old), St Martin's Church Memorial, Knebworth, (New), St Martin's Church Roll of Honour, Knebworth (New), Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans. St Mary Magdalene Church Memorial, Cowden, Kent,
Pre War
Frederick Ashby was born in Hever, Kent in 1886, the son of William and Barbara Ashby. He was one of ten children, although one died in infancy.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Brook Cottage, Hever, Kent where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. They had moved to Polefield Cottage, Cowden, Kent by 1901 at which time, Frederick was working as an 'odd boy' (agricultural). He married Margaret Ellen Harding in 1909 in the Sevenoaks district of Kent and on the 1911 Census they were living at Glen Cottages, Horne, Lingfield, Surrey with their one year old son Frederick William. Another son, Alfred George was born in January 1912. Sadly their son Frederick died in late 1917 at the age of 7.
Frederick was living at 63 Southwood Road, Rusthall, Kent at the time of enlistment.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Tonbridge, Kent and joined the Royal West Kent Regiment. (His regimental numbers of L/7236 (from Medal Index Card) and G/7850 suggest he initially enlisted in 1903/4 and may have been a reservist who was called up at the outbreak of war). He served as Sergeant with the 1st Battalion, Royal West Kents in France from 15 August 1914. when they landed in Le Havre.
Frederick was initially reported missing and later declared killed in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. Death was presumed on or since 4 October 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He posthumously received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the reason for the award was reported in the London Gazette of 4 March 1918. "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in bringing up his platoon from support of his own initiative and helping to beat off a counter attack. He directed the fire of his men with great skill. During the attack he led them with great coolness and courage until wounded."
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £8 and pay owing of £24 9s 4d. She also received a pension of £1 2s 11d per week. Her address on pension records was given as North Street, Cowden, Kent.
The connection with Knebworth is not known.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.janetandrichardsgenealogy.co.uk/Sgt%20F%20Ashby.html
