Pte
Alexander Asher
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 04/02/1892 |
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Place of birth: Lhanbryde, Morayshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Elgin, Moray, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Farmer |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 21473 |
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Enlistment date: 02/04/1917 |
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Enlistment place: Elgin, Moray, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Seaforth Highlanders, 8th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Pommern Castle & Redoubt, Saint-Julien, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: VII Row: H Grave: 4 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Alexander Asher was the son of Jane and William Asher. He was born on 4 February 1892 in Lhanbryde, Morayshire. Before the war, he worked as a farmer. Alexander enlisted in the British Army and served in the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division).
Alexander was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.
Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.
Alexander was killed at the age of 25. After the war, his body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Alexander was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.
Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.
Alexander was killed at the age of 25. After the war, his body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Sources 4
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1901 Scotland Census (National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh (NRS), Reels 1-446). https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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44 Infantry Brigade: 8 Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1940/3 ). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 63. Sources used |
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UK, De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919, vol.4, p.5. Sources used |
More information 3
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=9a5bfabd-09b0-4e8c-bb09-1cd2b2d8e204 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/78027 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461768 |