On this day in memory of James Ash who lived in my house and was killed in 1916 in the Somme. LEST WE FORGET. James Lowes Ash - was bom in 1895. In 1901 he was living at Middlefield Row, the nephew of James Wilson Ash (40), a mechanical engineer, and his wife, Mary Ann (39). Marys father, James Hope, a retired farm bailiff, was also living with them. James L had been bom in Hartlepool. In 1911 James W, James L andMary Ann were still living together, at Lowthian Terrace, Washington. Though 16 years old, James, the only child, was still at school. His parents had been married 22 years. Mr Lowes was an engineer at the chemical works. The family had a niece living with them, Elizabeth Helen Hope (12). James served as Lance Corporal 13996,8* Battalion, Princess of Wales Own (Yorkshire) Regiment, part of the 29* Brigade,Z3* Division. The Washington and District Volunteer Record printed a list of those men whod volunteered by 8* September 1914 and one of those was James L Ash of Station Road. First going to France on27l8ll5, he was killed in action on 10h Julv 1916 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Panel and Face 3Al3D. His family received the 1915 Star and War and Victory medals. The War Diary for the 8ft Yorkshires in Julv 1916 has them bivouackins at Belle Vue Farm on 7s. on the 8tu they moved up to BECourir wooD. on the 9ft they rltumed to bivouacs in Belle Vue Farm. The Battle of Albert took place from 1-13* July. Suffering unprecedented casualties, the British did break into the German defensive complexes and eventually took La Boisselle, Contalmaison, Trones Wood and Mametz Wood. tOft luty: The 69ft Infantry Brigade was ordered to attack and capture CONTALMAISON, with the 8* Yorkshires on the right and the 9u Yorkshires on the left flank. The l le West Yorkshires operating on the teft of tUe 9m Yorks was protecting the flank. The Battn advanced to the attack at 4.50pm from the HORSESHOE TRENCH and came under shrapnel fire from Contalmaison Wood. As the Battn further advanced and when within about 500 yds of the village heavy machine gun and rifle fire was opened on them by the enemy from the front and left flanks. On reaching TRENCH 23-41the wire was found to be practically intact and provided a serious obstacle. After gaining this trench, where the men were still under heavy fire, the line advanced to the assault. A second obstacle in the shape of a hedge and wire netting held the line outside the village, and 50% of the casualties occurred between the hedge and the trench. This obstacle was surmounted and the line advanced to the village firing at the enemy who were now retreating. At this point unexpected machine gun and rifle fire took the men in the rear and caused some casualties. Not more than 4 officer and 150 men reached the village. 8 German officers and 160 men were captured exclusive of 100 wounded Germans in dug-outs. 6 machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were also taken. Immediate steps were taken to consolidate and a line was chosen from the CHATEAU through the VIEIIX MANOIR to point 84. It was not the best line for defence but was selected in view of the small number of men available. By daylight the line was dug. At 7.00pm a small party of Germans appeared at the CUTTING but were dispersed by (their own) machine gun fire. Our right was exposed and at 9pm a party of about 40 Germans were seen to be lining the hedge N from point 93. They opened fire and the position was critical. Major Western made a barricade across the road at 84 and was reinforced with more men from this and the 9* Battn. The enemy were kept in check and finally dislodged by the further aid of a bombing party from the 9u and a Lewis Gun fire from a house. At 1lpm the Battn was reinforced by 2 Coys of the 1lft West Yorks and the 10ft West Riding Battn. These got into touch with the unit on the right and the position became satisfactory. The village was shelled all night and during the next day but no counter attack was launched. Our patrols were out all night, and Boche patrols in the CUTTING were fired on. 10e Casualties: killed -5 officers, 19 other ranks; wounded - 6 officers and247 other ranks; missing - 1 offrcer and 87 other ranks. Private James Lowes,4sft, whose death was recorded as having occurred on 10e July, is commemorated on the Thienval Memorial to the Missing. Other local men who
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 13:55:02 +0000
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