Category Archives: Thiepval

William Henry Ashforth, The Missing of the Somme, Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval

Published: September 16, 2010    Last modified: November 14, 2016

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The Missing of the Somme, Thiepval Memorial, Thiepval, Picardie, France: W.H. Ashforth

During June and July 2010 we visited Burgundy, France but broke our journey at Arras in order to spend a few days visiting the memorials dedicated to the missing of the Somme. So after many years of wishing to, I finally made time to visit the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

On a summers day with perfect weather it was hard to imagine the horrors that took place across this beautiful landscape and distressing to surmise how William Henry ASHFORTH 1896-1916, my great uncle, met his death.

This beautifully maintained memorial rises defiantly above the French landscape only needing the inscription of 73,367 names to instantly bring home the horrors man politicians can inflict on man.

Private William Henry Ashforth 1896-1916: Missing of the Somme, Thiepval Memorial

Published: February 11, 2009    Last modified: January 12, 2017

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Private William Henry Ashforth
Killed in action, July 10th 1916

A very poignant photograph.

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The message on the reverse side of this photograph reads:

Pte W. H. Ashforth 13699
11 West York Reg
Killed in action, July 10th 1916
To be returned to
173 Cuthbert Bank Road
Sheffield

This is one of the possessions of William Henry ASHFORTH 1896-1916 to be returned to the family: another is a 5 pack of Woodbine cigarettes.

Private William Henry Ashforth together with 72090 other identified casualties are commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial, France.
To view the Casualty Details and Certificate at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website please click here.
To read more about the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France please click here.
To read about The CAF Thiepval Project and Visitor Centre at Thiepval, Somme, France please click here.

Updates:
2010-09-14: I visited the Thiepval Memorial to the 'Missing of the Somme' at Thiepval, Picardie, France during June 2010. I will eventually post an article and an album of photographs.

William Henry Ashforth: Casualty 771110

Published: May 13, 2005    Last modified: February 4, 2017

William Henry Ashforth 1896-1916

William Henry Ashforth 1896-1916

William Henry ASHFORTH, Private 13699, died 10 July 1916, aged 20 years.
Initials: W H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Unit Text: "B" Coy. 11th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 10/07/1916
Service No: 13699
Additional information: Son of William Henry and Florence Ashforth, of 173, Cuthbert Bank Rd., Sheffield.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial