Tuesday 21 July 2015

Ashworth, John William - Sergeant (240128)

(No soldier photo available)
1st/5th Battalion,
East Lancashire Regiment,
Died of wounds 15th September 1917,
Age 22,
Buried Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No.3

Newspaper Report:

It is officially reported that Sergt., J.W. Ashworth, East Lancashire Regiment, died from shell wounds on September 16th 1917.  He was the oldest of 10 children, and his parents live at 6, Warwick Street, Haslingden.
Aged 22, and single he was employed at L. Whittaker and Sons, Grane Road Mill, and was in the warehouse when he enlisted very shortly after the outbreak of the war.  He was connected with Laneside Church, and was well known and respected.  He has a brother in the Royal Marines.
When he was at home on leave last April he was in the Intelligence Department, and was attached to the Australians.
A chaplain has written to the parents stating that the deceased has been buried with military honours, and that a wooden cross marks his grave in "a little cemetery."
A sergeant who has been with the deceased for the last three years writes saying that he always had a great admiration for him, and that his manly conduct and fine soldierly bearing attracted his attention early on.

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergt. J.W. Ashworth (1-5th East Lancs. Regt.,), who died of wounds received in France, September 15th, 1917.

"Only those who have lost can tell,
A son and brother, we loved so well;
Memory's pride is more than gold,
A good lad's worth cannot be told."

From his loving father, mother, sisters and brothers, 6 Warwick Street; and brother in law, Herbert, Haslingden.

In fond remembrance of Sergt. J.W. Ashworth, East Lancashire Regt., died September 15th, 1917

"There's a lonely grave in France,
Where a brave young hero sleeps,
There's a cottage home in England,
Where a mother sits and weeps;

When last we saw his smiling face,
He looked so strong and brave,
We little thought how soon he'd be
Laid in a soldier's grave."

Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth and Family, 6 Warwick Street.

"The midnight star shines o'er the grave,
Of a dear brother and soldier brave;
How dear, how brave, we shall understand,
When we meet again in the Better Land.

How he fought no tongue can tell,
How wisely, how bravely, and how well;
For King and country he did his best,
Christ took him home with Him to rest.

"Twas hard to part with one so loved, so tender, and so young,
In whose life so many hopes and fond affections clung;
But God is wiser than we, and doeth all things for the best,
And He has taken our darling brother to dwell among the best."

From his sorrowing Sister and Sweetheart, Alice, and Jim Burton (in Mesopotamia).

Family Census Information - Click over census to enlarge