Robert Ashby

Story:
Robert Ashby was born in 1879 in Childe Okeford, Dorset, and baptised there on 25th May 1879. He was the son of George Ashby, a groom, and Catherine Ashby (née Bucklar). Though his parents lived in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, Robert spent much of his life living in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, (where his mother had been born) with an Uncle. His father died in 1890. Robert found employment as a coal miner. On 12 June 1905 he married Mary Jane Smith at the Baptist Chapel in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. There were three children from the marriage. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a coal miner at the Nailstone Colliery and living at Battram Road, Elliston, Leicestershire. His mother was still living in Iwerne Minster. He was highly regarded in the colliery being a member of the Mine Rescue Team

He was recruited on 21 Jun 1915 in London as a Sapper (Tunneller) for his special knowledge of mining. He was immediately assigned to the 178th Company, Royal Engineers (Service No. 102813) embarked to France and Flanders on 26 Jun 1915 where he was subject to a slight gas attack wound on 18 Sep 1915. On 21 Dec 1915, whist attempting to rescue some buried comrades at Fircourt, Somme, France, he was killed in action. He was buried at the Norfolk Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France (grave id. I.C.22). He is remembered on the Iwerne Minster War Memorial, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.

His wife received a widow's pension of £1.02p per week for herself and the three children. She continued to live in Elliston, according to the 1939 Register and did not remarry. Robert's brother, George Frederick (b.1888), also served in the war, with the Royal Field Artillery and survived.