Samuel Ashley does not appear on the Memorial in Bronington. There is, however, an index card for him filed with the ‘fallen’ of Bronington in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. For this reason we include his story here.

The 1911 census records Samuel living and working at Old Fenshall Whitchurch. This was a farm that was owned by Mr George Wardle. This 57 year old farmer ran the farm with the help of his 3 grown up daughters and one son and his wife. Samuel was one of three listed servants. He was a Farm Labourer aged 17 and had been born in Whixall.

UK Soldiers who Died in The Great war 1914-19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details at the top left of this page. It says he was born in Whixall and resided in Whitchurch. He enlisted in Shrewsbury and this source tells us he was killed in action. His Medal Index card also on Ancestry lists his two medals. There is a sad note on the card dated 7th March 1922 that says

“O i/c Requests Auth to dispose of medals”.

The Register of Effects in which the army calculated what was owed to deceased soldiers includes an entry for Samuel. It confirms his death date and that a total of £40 ..0sh ..6d was paid to his sole Legatee Eliza. His mother?

His Commonwealth War Certificate (see link  left) says that he was the son of Elizabeth Ashley of 4 Moss Cottages Whixall