Cpl
Norman Ashton
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 12/06/1881 |
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Place of birth: Pendleton, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand |
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Profession: Indent agent |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Corporal |
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Service number: 24323 |
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Units: — Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Fleet Cottage, 's Graventafel, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 36 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: 28 Row: G Grave: 17 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Norman Ashton was born on 12 June 1881 in Pendleton, Lancashire. He was the son of Thomas Atherton Ashton and Elizabeth Eleanor Ashton and was the brother of Alan Makepeace Ashton. With his wife Grace Florence Baker (Ashton), he moved to Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand where he worked as a business agent. During the war, he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, after which he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment (1st New Zealand Brigade, New Zealand Division).
On Thursday 4 October 1917, the day Norman died, the Battle of Broodseinde took place. The New Zealand Division attacked with the 4th New Zealand Brigade and the 1st New Zealand Brigade. On their way to the Red Line, the New Zealanders had to cross the Hanebeek. They were targeted by a German counterattack, but the opening barrage eliminated most of the Germans. The 1st New Zealand Brigade attacked with the 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment and the 1st Battalion Wellington Regiment. The 1st Aucklands moved north and came under fire from pillboxes around Aviatik Farm and Dear House. On the other side, on the left, the battalion came under fire from Winzig, Albatross Farm and Winchester. The 1st Wellingtons came under fire from pillboxes around Boetleer. However, the battalion broke free and moved on towards the Red Line. As they reached the ridge, they came under fire from two dugouts off Korek.
The 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment and the 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment took over the advance from the Red Line and together captured a German battalion headquarters in the Waterloo pillboxes. The Aucklanders moved through the brick ruins of Korek and continued to Calgary Grange. The Wellingtons met resistance at Kroonprinz Farm, but pushed on to consolidate the final position.
On this day, Thursday 4 October 1917, Norman died at the age of 36. He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XXVIII, Row G, Grave 17). After his death, he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
On Thursday 4 October 1917, the day Norman died, the Battle of Broodseinde took place. The New Zealand Division attacked with the 4th New Zealand Brigade and the 1st New Zealand Brigade. On their way to the Red Line, the New Zealanders had to cross the Hanebeek. They were targeted by a German counterattack, but the opening barrage eliminated most of the Germans. The 1st New Zealand Brigade attacked with the 1st Battalion Auckland Regiment and the 1st Battalion Wellington Regiment. The 1st Aucklands moved north and came under fire from pillboxes around Aviatik Farm and Dear House. On the other side, on the left, the battalion came under fire from Winzig, Albatross Farm and Winchester. The 1st Wellingtons came under fire from pillboxes around Boetleer. However, the battalion broke free and moved on towards the Red Line. As they reached the ridge, they came under fire from two dugouts off Korek.
The 2nd Battalion Auckland Regiment and the 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment took over the advance from the Red Line and together captured a German battalion headquarters in the Waterloo pillboxes. The Aucklanders moved through the brick ruins of Korek and continued to Calgary Grange. The Wellingtons met resistance at Kroonprinz Farm, but pushed on to consolidate the final position.
On this day, Thursday 4 October 1917, Norman died at the age of 36. He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XXVIII, Row G, Grave 17). After his death, he received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Sources 2
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 113-114. Sources used |
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New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand, Wellington (ANZ), R22271303). https://www.archives.govt.nz/ Sources used |
More information 5
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461772 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=d03f041e-301b-46e2-9070-a9ba93cfad78 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7170404 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=7731 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C465 |