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| Private Harold Ashworth |
Royal Marines,
Died of Wounds,
26th August 1918,
Age 23,
Buried Bucquoy Communal Cemetery Extension
Newspaper Report:
THREE SOLDIER SONS GONE - HAROLD, JAMES AND HARRY ASHWORTH.
All the three sons of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Ashworth, of 150 Bury Road, Haslingden, who were serving in the army have now fallen, the last to fall being Private Harold Ashworth, Royal Naval Field Hospital, who would have been 24 next month. He enlisted on July 1st 1915. Up to then he had been a weaver at Grane Mill. He was brought up at George Street Mission, and from being 16 was a member of the Mission orchestra. He was playing with the Mission cricket team when they won the Sunday School League championship. He died from wounds on August 26, four hours after he had been hit with shrapnel whilst bringing down a stretcher case.
In October, 1917, Mr and Mrs. Ashworth had within two days official information of one son killed, one (Harold) gassed, and one missing. Harold was gassed a second time.
A service in memoriam of Private Harold Ashworth was held at the George Street Mission on Sunday. Mr. Eric Holt, of Rawtenstall, the preacher, took as his text, "And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes." He read two letters, one from deceased's pals. Madame Nellie Hamer sang effectively two solos - "Beckoning hands" and "I know my heavenly Father Knows." Mr. H. Sandham presided at the organ. An orchestral band conducted the singing and at the close played the "Dead March".
The following is a copy of the letter which the parents have received from their son's soldier pals in France, - several of whom joined up at the same time:-
"Dear Mr and Mrs. Ashworth, - It is with deepest regret that I have to write this letter to inform you that your son Harold, was this morning (whilst carrying out his noble duty) struck by a piece of shell. He never regained consciousness, but passed away peacefully, at our dressing station. Both Arthur Constantine and myself were with him till the last, but he never gave any signs, but passed away just as though going to sleep. I write this on behalf of all the Haslingden boys of the 150th R.N.D. Field Ambulance, many of whom joined up on the same day as he did, and knew him practically all his life. They tender to you their deepest sympathy, in this dark hour of inexpressible sorrow. After paying the supreme sacrifice for the cause of righteousness and peace, he has entered upon a fuller and a more glorious service. It is a grand thought though, to think and be sure that death on this earth is not the end of all things, but is only the entrance to a nobler and fuller life with the Master, whom he strove to serve so faithfully whilst on this earth. He was greatly loved and respected by all who knew him for he always had a cheerful word for all and was one that this war had not in any way changed for the worst and that is going a long way.
I will send home his person belongings later. I cannot give you details yet, but Arthur Constantine will be coming on leave shortly, and he will try and explain everything to you. We remain, yours sincerely, JAMES. W. FLETCHER, ARTHUR CONSTANTINE, JOHN B. CONSTANTINE, J.W. HEAP, CORPORAL J. ENTWISTLE, R.N.D.
Newspaper Memorials:
To the sweet and cherished memory of Private Harold Ashworth, Royal Naval Field Ambulance, who died from wounds received in France, August 26th, 1918. The last of three sons to give up his life for God, for King, for Freedom, and for Right.
"From the field of strife and conflict,
He was helping a wounded friend,
And doing his noble duty,
When he met his own sad end.
But though the blow is heavy,
If our lives are lived with care,
In the House of many Mansions,
We'll meet him again up there."
From his sorrowing Mother and Father, 150 Bury Road, Haslingden.
"A beautiful memory left behind."
One of the first to volunteer,
A sacrifice supreme;
We cannot yet realise his death,
It seems a hateful dream.
Though we understand God's mercy,
In taking him to rest,
The parting gives much anguish,
To those who loved him best."
From his loving Sweetheart, Susie, 9 Whittaker Terrace.
"One of the best."
The Master came that morning,
He came to gather flowers,
And from amongst the brightest,
He gathered the third of ours."
From Brother John and Phyllis.
"Could we have been there at the hour of your death,
And caught the last sigh of your fleeting breath,
And breathed in your ear just one loving word,
Ah, only those who have suffered are able to tell,
The pain of the heart in not saying farewell.
Ever remembered by his Sister Dora, and Siter in law Annie.
"To us it seemed his life was too soon done,
Ended, indeed, while scarcely yet begun;
But God, with His clearer vision, saw that,
He was ready for a larger ministry."
From his Pals in France, R. Anderton and H. Eastwood.
"Not far behind the fighting line,
Within the sound of guns,
Tis there we left our dear old pal,
Who did his duty well.
Facing danger as each day dawned,
And like a soldier fell.
"Our thoughts of him can never die."
From his sorrowing Pals in France, Pte H. Baker and Cpl T. Hargreaves.
"Rest, calmly rest, for thou thy part hath played,
On this word's stage, and death thy hand hath stayed;
Thy work is done, thou'st laid thine armour down,
Fought the good fight, and gained the eternal crown.
It is not death, it is life begun,
For the waters are passed, and the home is won."
From his loving father and mother, 150, Bury Road, Haslingden.
"When friendship breathes a parting sight,
And tears bedeck the sparkling eye,
Tis then the feeling eart can tell,
The meaning of the world "Farewell."
From his loving sister, Dora.
"One less on earth,
Its pain, its sorrow, and its toil to share;
One less the pilgrim's daily cross to hear,
One more the crown of ransomed saints to wear,
At home in heaven."
From his loving brother, John, and Phyllis.
"He laid his richest gift on the altar of duty,
And made the supreme sacrifice,
His bright young life."
From uncle and aunt, 2 Town Green.
"As through this weary world I wander,
My thoughts will always be of you,
In memory I shall see you ever;
I loved you better than you knew."
From his pal, Willie, Commerce Street, Carrs.
"Just when his hopes were brightest,
Just when his thoughts were best,
He was called from a world of sorrow,
To that land of Eternal rest."
From his loving Uncle and Aunt, 3 Town Gate.
"Loved by all."
We pictured his safe returning,
We longed to clasp his hand,
But God has postponed the meeting,
Till we meet in the Better Land."
From Uncle James and Cousins at Great Harwood.
"No more will the smile of his countenance brighten,
The long weary hours of his friends left behind,
For no one who knew him could ever forget him,
His ways were so loving, so true and so kind."
From his loving Uncle, Aunt and Cousins, 233 Blackburn Road.
"No one knows the parting,
Or what the parting cost,
But God, in His great mercy,
Has gained what we have lost."
From his loving and faithful Pal, Willie, Somewhere in France.
"He's rejoicing in heaven we know,
With God's angels for ever to dwell,
He was loved and respected by all -
God called him; that was his farewell."
From Mr. and Mrs. Haworth and Alice, 103 Bury Rd, Haslingden.
In affectionate remembrance of my dear husband, Pte. James Ashworth (East Lancashire Regt.,) who was reported missing, October 10th 1917, now presumed dead on that date, or since; also his dear brother, Pte. Harry R. Ashworth, killed in action, October 26th, 1917 also Private Harold Ashworth.
"Time does not change my thoughts of you,
Dear memories linger still;
Sunshine passes, shadows fall,
But true remembrance outlasts all."
From his loving wife and child, 141 Hudrake.
"There is someone who misses you sadly,
And finds the time long since you went,
There is someone who thinks of you often,
And tries to be brave and content.
It's grand to know we'll meet again,
Where parting is no more,
And that the ones are loved on earth,
Have only gone before."
From their loving father and mother, 150 Bury Road, Haslingden.
"When I think of my three brothers,
Whom my mother tended with such are,
Rudely taken from her bosom,
How it makes my heart despair.
Though years roll on they'll leave behind,
Their marks of pain and sorrow,
Yet they leave a sweet remembrance,
There is still a bright tomorrow."
From their loving sister, Dora, 150 Bury Road, Haslingden.
"For many years our family chain,
Was firmly linked together,
But oh, that chain is broken now,
Two links are gone for ever."
John and Phyllis
And when my days are ended,
And the call comes down the line,
Saviour grant that we may meet them,
Those three dear nephews of mine."
From uncle Bob and aunt Jane, 2, Town Green.
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| Family Census Information - Click over to enlarge |
