Robert Ashby
Posted by Chris_B
Miner Robert Ashby is the third man on the Ibstock memorial to have lost his life while
serving as a tunneller. His profile is that of an older man whose years of work experience
warranted his special enlistment on the highest rate of pay. Robert was aged 35, with a
wife and three children, at the time he enlisted. He signed his papers in London on 21
June 1915 where the 170th-178th Companies of the Royal Engineers depot office address
was 3, Central Buildings, Westminster SW. The front sheet of his “Short Service”
attestation, Army From B.2505, is clearly marked “clay kicking tunneller 6/- a day”.
His induction into the Army was swift, he embarked for France just four days later and
by 2.8.15 he had joined 178th Coy. from base . They were deployed in Fricourt sector on
the Somme, working on tunnelling orignally started by the French. A little over a month
later Robert is “slightly gassed” on the 18.9.1915. He returns to duty a few days later and
the tunnelling continues.
The 178th Coy. were determined to give the Germans an unholy end of year present but
an alert enemy were deploying counter measures of their own. So it was that on
21/12/1915, just a few days before Christmas, the Germans exploded two mines of their
own, wrecking a section of trench, 178th shafts and galleries, and killing 17 of its men.
This war diary extract is courtesy of Iain McHenry .
21/12/15 8.0 am Enemy exploded 2 large mines in Tambour Duclos (F3 & TF? Meaulte).
They wrecked 30 yds of trench & blew in several shafts and galleries. Men at their face
were buried alive. There was no artillery bombardment. Rescue work was carried out but
many were gassed in the process chiefly infantry. Lieut Thompson ??? and Capt
Walling??? RW? Did excellent work also Proto men.
The diary notes for 21/12/1915 Lieut PYROR wounded gassed, 17 OR killed in mine
explsion, 8 OR wounded gassed.
The full list of those KIA is here. For those men whose records can be found, we can see
they include other miners who had passed through the same London base as Robert in
June and July, together with men who had transferred in the field.
102105 Sapper William Warrilow had enlisted on 1 June 1915 London as a “tunnellers
mate”. Aged 40, William, a miner, was married with one child. Embarked 5/6/16. Joins
171st from base on 11/6/1915. He later transfers to 178th and remusters as a tunneller. He
is hospitalized on 23.6.1915.
102826 Cpl. Francis Cassidy enlisted on 22 June 1915 London as a “tunnellers mate”. A
miner aged 44, he was married with 5 children. Embarked 5/7/1915.
102910 Sapper William WHITE joins 7 July 1915 London, gives his Burton address as
per CWGC entry. A Miner aged 23, he enlists on “tunnellers mate” pay of 2/2. Depot M
to France 19/7/1915. 19.11.15 Remustered as Tunneller at 6/- , two days before death.
Note KIA 21/12/1915 due to enemy mine explosion. Mother writes to acknowledge
receipt of a broken watch.
137670 Sapper Henry Halton, a miner from Worcestershire transferred 1/8th Worcesters
14th Oct. 1915 having served from 29/9/1914 to 178th Coy.RE. Aged 23 unmarried.
Mother NOK. Remustered Tunnellers Mate 15/10/1915. ( as pte 3162 home 29/9/14 –
31/3/15 BEF 1.4.15 to 13.10.15)
137675 Sapper Percival George Waine. A labourer of 27 years 8 months on 10 Nov 1915
when attested in field to transfer to 178th Coy. RE. Address Oxford. Previously served as
Pte. 33621/4th Oxon & Bucks LI (TF) from 28-9-14. Originally embarked Folkestone
29/3/1915. Tunnellers Mate with E.P at 1/- pay rate. Lasted just 42 days in RE.
Those men who were recovered were buried at the Norfolk cemetery, while those who
were not are named on the Thiepval memorial. Oddly, two names appear on the Menin
Gate. I wonder why?
Pals in life became comrades in death as they are laid side by side I.C.24 to I.C.30, and
Robert Ashby I.C. 22 is flanked by an East Surrey man Pte.1329 Harry Osbourne
WILKINSON.
For the families of these men, and Roberts wife and children, the joy of Christmas was
cut short as news of their loss reached home. Over the coming weeks and months
Robert's widow had to deal with the forms and letters of his personal effects, outstanding
pay, and widows benefits. The Royal Engineers sent a letter to the NOK of all men buried
at Norfolk cemetery. It came from Brompton Barracks, Chatham dated 17th January 1916
and read in Robert's case:
Dear Madam,
Special information has been received with regard to the burial of your husband the late
Sapper R.Ashby R.E.
He was interred at the cemetery Becourt, Somme, France, by the Rev. L.L.GEEVES, on
21st Decemember last.
I am,
Madam,
your obedient servant,
It was the Army's rather stilted way of of saying Robert had been laid to rest with full
honours at a known location, something that was denied to countless others.