Percy William's Story.
Percy was born in Runcorn in 1888. He lived with his father John, a chemical worker, and his mother Eleanor at 23 Rutland Street. He had 4 brothers, David, Joseph, John & Thomas, and 2 sisters, Margaret & Sarah.By 1911 they were living at 29 Ashbridge Street, Runcorn where Percy was now a labourer at a chemical works. He later married Eliza Annie and they lived at 1 Grenfell Street, Simms Cross, Widnes.
Percy enlisted in Widnes on the 21st April 1914. He entered France on the 1st October 1915. He died of wounds received in action on the 13th January 1917.
Runcorn Guardian - Friday 02 March 1917
PRIVATE PERCY W. ASHLEY. Another Runcorn lad who given his life in the war is Private Percy W. Ashley who was wounded on January 12th, and succumbed to his wounds on the following day. The first intimation that reached his family was in the return of a letter in which had been sent to the deceased, the pencil cote " Wounded on January 12th, place not stated. This was followed by similar information from the Paymasters Office, Shrewsbury. and anally the official notification of his death was received from the War Office on February 14th. Private Ashley enlisted in April 1915 and was drafted to one of the battalions of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was very proud of his regiment. and always referred to it as one of the finest in the British Army. After a few weeks training he was transferred to another camp, from whence he proceeded to the front in September. 1915 Having seen fifteen months' service at the front he was granted leave, and arrived home unexpectedly on the morning of December 16th last. Like most soldiers on leave be was one to evade conversation concerning the terrible carnage he had left behind, but when drawn into a quiet talk on the subject by the members of his family, he could from his experiences provide graphic description of that element on which the gaining of ground frequently depend on a bayonet charge. He related one such incident in which his regiment in conjunction with a famous Highland regiment charged a body the enemy in what appeared to be a quarry and from which the exit on the opposite side was by means of a steep ascent, making escape under such circumstances impossible for the enemy. Sinaultaneonely with the order to charge a burly officer of the scots yelled out " 'remember the lusitania, boys." Inspired by the words.: and exasperated by the memory of that crime, the ferocity of the charged rose to the maximum. and Ashley stated that scarcely none of the enemy escaped Many were the narrow escapes Private Ashley experienced, and 'he often expressed his thanks for that Christmas Leave and for his luck in remaining absolutely unscratched after fifteen months in the thick of the fighting when many times it looked as if he would never see his home again. He returns to his regiment on Boxing Day, and the last word received from him was conveyed in a field card. dated January 8th which stated: " I am well and in the trenches." By the time that card was received he had been called upon to lay down his armour, his fight being done. Private Ashley lived for many years with his parents in Ashridge-street, and on the death of his father in March, 1915. went to live with his brother at 29, Lord street. He was married shortly before going to the front. Up to the present all efforts to ascertain the enact circumstances under which he met his death have been without avail.
Researcher: Darryl Porrino
Additional article from Runcorn Guardian added by Graeme Ainsworth
No picture of Percy could be found.