Charles Ashford

An Able Seaman with Hawke Battalion, Charles died on 21st of March 1918 at the age of 38. 

Charles was born at Cretingham, Earl Soham, Suffolk, on 31 July 1880, a son of Charles and Harriet Ashford. In some records his family name is given Ashford, in others it is Fairweather-Ashford, of Ashford alias Fairweather. In 1881 his family were living at Mauldens Corner, Earl Soham. In 1891 his family lived at 14 Brandeston Road, Earl Soham, and by 1901 at Manor Farm, Gisleham. Later his parents lived at Blo Norton, Norfolk, before his father became the publican at the Trowel and Hammer, East Harling. 

By 1908 Charles was living at Carlton Colville. On 26 December 1908 he married Annie Elizabeth Peek at All Saints’ Church, Narborough. Charles was a labourer, living at Carlton Colville, and Annie lived at Narborough. The 1911 Census shows Charles living at Low Farm, Carlton Colville, and working as a milk cart driver. The census shows him as being married, but Annie has not been traced in the 1911 Census, nor in any subsequent record.  

Charles was working as a labourer, and living at Whitton Green, when attested for the Army on 2 March 1916 and was placed on the Army Reserve. He was called up for service on 17 October 1916. Instead of joining the Army he was enrolled in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, service number R/362. On 18 October 1916 Charles joined the 4th Reserve Battalion, Royal Naval Division, at Blandford. On 2 January 1917 he was rated Able Seaman and drafted to Nelson Battalion in France. On 4 October 1917 Charles disobeyed orders about putting packs on limbers without permission and was punished by being deprived of three days pay. He was granted leave to the U.K. from 22 January 1918 to 5 February 1918. 

Charles was posted to the 7th Entrenching Battalion on 22 February 1918. By mid-February 1918 the Royal Naval Division moved to positions on Flesquieres Ridge. Charles returned to the Royal Naval Division on 14 March 1918 and was cross-posted from Nelson to Hawke Battalion, joining his new battalion on 15 March. Charles was one of 209 men who joined Hawke Battalion from service with the 7th Entrenching Battalion. The ration strength of the battalion, at this time, was 17 officers and 612 men. 

From 4.45 a.m. to 5.45 a.m. on 21 March 1918 the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the front and support lines, with gas-shells falling in the area of the Battalion headquarters. The Germans succeeded in entering the front line and took posts held by C Company in Nigger Trench and Premy Support Trench. The front line was reorganised along Beet Trench and Kaiser Trench, with blocks formed in Nigger, Premy Switch and Premy Avenue trenches. A 3 p.m. a company was sent from Drake Battalion to reinforce the battalion and took up positions in Kaiser Support trench. By 8.30 p.m. the battalion had been relieved, by Drake Battalion, and moved into support. The ration strength of the battalion, at this time, was 18 officers and 351 men, with over 250 men having become casualties on 21 March 1918.  

Charles was killed in action on 21 March.