Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1893 in the  Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/195,
the son of Edward & Alice Ashe (nee Dickinson).

1901 Census - No Trace of any of the family.

He attended the Wadham House School, Hale and Repton School.

1911 Census - "The Coppice", Harrop Road, Hale.   Son - aged: 17 - occ:
Stock Broker's Clerk - born: Bowdon.    Head of household - Edward Ashe -
Married - aged: 47 - occ: Stock & Share Broker (employer) - born: Eccles.  
 Also - Alice Ashe - Wife - aged: 54 - born: Liverpool.   Plus 2 domestic
servants.

MIC - states that he was a Captain in the 8th Bn, Manchester Rgt and that
he was posted to France on the 9th January 1917.  It records his father's
address as being 25 Broad Walk, Buxton.

He had been slightly wounded at the Third Battle of Ypres and was awarded
the Military Cross in December 1917.   He was then attached to the 16th
Bn.

The 07/06/1918 edition of the local newspaper stated that he had been
awarded the Military Cross in the King's New Year Honours list 1st January
1918 and that he had been reported as missing during the defence of
Manchester Hill on the 21st March 1918.   The Manchester Rgt fought
virtually to the last man on that hill on the first day of the German
Spring Offensive.

The Altrincham Guardian dated 12th July 1918 reported that he was missing
in action - listed as E. Neville on Hale Cenotaph and the local newspaper.

Note: On 21st March 1918 Captain Ashe was commanding "A" Company in the
right front line, "B" was on the left with "C" in support. Battalion HQ and
"D" Company were at the Manchester Hill Redoubt. Captain Ashe's company was
quickly overrun with news coming at 8.30 a.m. of it being surrounded.

CAPTAIN EDWARD NEVILLE ASHE, M.C., reported missing on March 21, now
officially reported killed, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ashe,
of The Coppice, Hale, Cheshire and was educated at Repton. He obtained a
commission in the 8th Manchester Regiment (T.F.) in 1915, and in January,
1917, he went to France, where he was attached to another battalion of the
same regiment.   In July he took part in the the third battle of Ypres,
when he was slightly wounded, and recommended for the Military Cross; and
in December, while temporarily in command of the Battalion, he was again
wounded, but remained at duty until the battalion was relieved.  
Afterwards he was mentioned for gallant conduct in the field.  His name
appeared in the list of Military Crosses among the Birthday Honours this
year.

WO374 - His Will was dated 6th November 1916 and his Estate, later valued
at £730.  4s.  7d was to go to his sister - Marjory Ashe.   There was a
codicil dated 7th January 1917, in which he left his gold watch to his
mother, together with any other article she may wish to retain.
He was "missing in action" and only after statements by Major R. Gibbon MC
and 7213 Private J. Darvin, both of the 16th Bn, Manchester Rgt and both
PoWs in Germany were received by the War Office that, for official
purposes, his death was recognised as being the 21st March 1918 - the first
day of the last big German offensive.