Family 'over the moon' at lost WW1 soldier's burial in France
Sjt Ashton initially served 12 and a half years with the Seaforth Highlanders before working for the Midland Railway Company.He rejoined the Army in March 195, first with the Derbyshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in October 1916.Following his death in 1917, Captain Allden Owles sent a letter to his family which said that Sjt Ashton died "instantly" and served "bravely".
Sjt Ashton's remains were discovered during construction work for a new hospital in Lens, and DNA testing of metal ribbons led to formal identification.Mr Brookes said: "You always wonder about somebody who's been in the military and killed in the war, how it had happened, and hope that he'd never suffered."When the letter dropped through the door saying the Ministry of Defence found him, we were over the moon."A pocket watch found with Sjt Ashton's remains and other items have since been returned to the family, as well as a union jack flag that had been draped over his coffin.
The service was organised by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, also known as the MoD War Detectives.One of their investigators, Alexia Clarke, said: "I think they were delighted to know in a strange kind of way."It brings closure, even after 110 years."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
15 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
British jet stranded after technical issues finally leaves Indian airport
The stealth fighter, one of the world's most advanced and costing about £85 million, was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to technical snags. The aircraft had hydraulic issues and problems with its auxiliary power unit that have been fixed, said the Thiruvananthapuram official, who was not authorised to speak with the media and requested anonymity. The aircraft will fly to a British aircraft carrier in Darwin, Australia, the official said. The British High Commission and UK's Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea in June when it ran into bad weather and could not return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram and landed safely June 14. The stranded military aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, triggered AI-generated memes in India. A Kerala tourism department social media post showed the plane on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees with a fictitious five-star review: 'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.' The top official at the tourism department, K Biju, said the post was in 'good humour'. 'It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism,' Mr Biju said. Another cartoon posted on X showed the plane enjoying snacks with a group of locals against a scenic background. There was speculation in India that the aircraft could be partially dismantled and transported in a cargo plane if repairs were unsuccessful. The UK Ministry of Defence dismissed the speculation in a statement.
Leader Live
16 hours ago
- Leader Live
British jet stranded after technical issues finally leaves Indian airport
The stealth fighter, one of the world's most advanced and costing about £85 million, was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to technical snags. The aircraft had hydraulic issues and problems with its auxiliary power unit that have been fixed, said the Thiruvananthapuram official, who was not authorised to speak with the media and requested anonymity. The aircraft will fly to a British aircraft carrier in Darwin, Australia, the official said. The British High Commission and UK's Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea in June when it ran into bad weather and could not return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram and landed safely June 14. The stranded military aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, triggered AI-generated memes in India. A Kerala tourism department social media post showed the plane on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees with a fictitious five-star review: 'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.' The top official at the tourism department, K Biju, said the post was in 'good humour'. 'It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism,' Mr Biju said. Another cartoon posted on X showed the plane enjoying snacks with a group of locals against a scenic background. There was speculation in India that the aircraft could be partially dismantled and transported in a cargo plane if repairs were unsuccessful. The UK Ministry of Defence dismissed the speculation in a statement.
South Wales Argus
16 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
British jet stranded after technical issues finally leaves Indian airport
The stealth fighter, one of the world's most advanced and costing about £85 million, was grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the southern state of Kerala due to technical snags. The aircraft had hydraulic issues and problems with its auxiliary power unit that have been fixed, said the Thiruvananthapuram official, who was not authorised to speak with the media and requested anonymity. The aircraft will fly to a British aircraft carrier in Darwin, Australia, the official said. The British High Commission and UK's Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The jet was on a regular sortie in the Arabian Sea in June when it ran into bad weather and could not return to the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales. The aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram and landed safely June 14. The stranded military aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, triggered AI-generated memes in India. A Kerala tourism department social media post showed the plane on the tarmac surrounded by coconut trees with a fictitious five-star review: 'Kerala is such an amazing place, I don't want to leave. Definitely recommend.' The top official at the tourism department, K Biju, said the post was in 'good humour'. 'It was our way to appreciate and thank the Brits who are the biggest inbound visitors to Kerala for tourism,' Mr Biju said. Another cartoon posted on X showed the plane enjoying snacks with a group of locals against a scenic background. There was speculation in India that the aircraft could be partially dismantled and transported in a cargo plane if repairs were unsuccessful. The UK Ministry of Defence dismissed the speculation in a statement.
