Frederick's Story.
Frederic Ashcroft was born in West Derby, Liverpool, 31 March 1886, the son of Charles Wesley Ashcroft and Alice M. Ashcroft. His father had been born in Liverpool, in 1851, and his mother had been born in 1852, in Worsley. The couple married in 1877, and went on to have nine children, but one (Alice – born 1895) died. By 1901, the Ashcroft family had settled in Birkenhead, and lived at 16, Waterford Road, Oxton, with their surviving children; William (Born 1881), Edward Stanley (born 1882), Harold (born 1884), Frederic (born 1886), Alec (born 1887), Arthur (born 1890), and Robert (born 1892). In that same year, his father was a Commercial Miller but later became a partner in Edward Hutchinson Mersey Flour Mills.
From 1896 – 1905, young Frederic Ashcroft received his education at Birkenhead School and had become a school Prefect. Being a keen sportsman, he also played for the school Cricket X1 and Rugby Football XV teams. During his time spent in the cricket team (four years) – during the last year, he made more runs than had ever been made by any boy in one year at Birkenhead School, besides taking over 100 wickets. As a rugby player he was a remarkably good half-back, playing for Birkenhead Park Rugby Club. He would later play cricket for Oxton and Birkenhead Park.
On leaving Birkenhead School, Frederic attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, with a Classical Exhibition, and due to an old injury sustained at school, he was unable to play football. On completing his degree he became a Schoolmaster, working first at Hillside, Godalming, and afterwards at Rhos-on-Sea Preparatory School, North Wales.
On the outbreak of the Great War, in August 1914, like his brothers William and Edward Stanley Ashcroft, Frederic Ashcroft travelled to St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, and presented himself for enlistment into the 17th (1st City) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment. This battalion had been raised at this location, and subsequently trained at Prescot Watch Works, Knowsley Park Camp, Belton Park Camp (Grantham), and Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain. However, Frederic only trained with this battalion until shortly after it arrived at Grantham and then volunteered to train for a commission. He was transferred to the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (Regimental number 5236) and joined this unit on 31 July 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 14 September 1915 and was subsequently posted to the 21st (Reserve) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, training back at Knowsley Park Camp, Liverpool. In May 1916, this battalion was moved to Formby, where it became part of 16th Reserve Brigade, and on 1st September of that same year it became the 67th Training Reserve Battalion and had moved to Altcar. Finally, on 25 January 1917, Second Lieutenant Ashcroft embarked for France, and was sent to the 24th Infantry Base Depot, where he remained until he received his posting orders to join the 18th (2nd City) Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment.
He finally joined the 18th Kings on 4 February 1917, and he continued to serve until he was reported as missing/killed in action on 9 April 1917. His new battalion was in the front-line trenches to the south of the village of Neuville Vitasse, and on that morning left these positions at 11.38 a.m., their objective being the German held Lion and Panther Lane. Between the British and German lines was a distance of at least 2,000 yards and totally open. Part of the German positions was a strongpoint known as “The Egg”. As the 18th Kings advanced, they came under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and the men lucky enough to reach the German front line, found the barbed wire untouched. They dug-in where they were and remained there until they were relieved at 3 am., by the 19th Bn Manchester Regiment. During the ill-fated attack the battalion had two officers killed – Second Lieutenant H.G. Ewing and Second Lieutenant Ashcroft, with 59 other ranks killed, and a further eight officers and many other ranks wounded. The body of Second Lieutenant Ashcroft was later recovered and identified from the battlefield, and was subsequently buried in Plot 1, Row B, Grave 1, Neuville-Vitasse Road Cemetery, France, on 12 April 1917.
Second Lieutenant Ashcroft’s father originally received a telegram on 16 April, reporting that his son was posting as missing, and then on 19 April, he was sent another telegram confirming that his son had been killed on 9 April. His Commanding Officer wrote to Mr. Ashcroft:
“I am sorry to have to write and tell you that your son was killed in action on 9th Inst, while leading his platoon. I cannot yet realise that I have lost him, as he was one of the finest men I have met in my life, and one of the cheeriest. He was loved by his men as was only natural, his one thought being for their comfort and happiness, and I know his loss will be greatly felt by not only his men but the remainder of the company. I feel I cannot express my thoughts in writing, but I feel sure you will appreciate how deeply I feel for you in your irreparable loss. Will you please also convey my sympathies to his mother and brother’s”
The only effects which he had consisted of two identity discs and were returned to his family shortly after his death.
Family application form requesting Frederick to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Family application form requesting Frederick to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Second Lieutenant Ashcroft is also commemorated in/on:
Birkenhead School Roll of Honour Book
Birkenhead Park Rugby Club Roll of Honour
Sadly, the Great War hit the Ashcroft family on two other occasions, when his brothers Edward Stanley Ashcroft died on 12 May 1918, as a Prisoner-of-War, and William was killed in action on 22 March 1918.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
Birkenhead News 21 April 1917
OXTON OFFICER FALLS.
One of Six Brothers all Serving.
It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of 2nd Lieut. Frederick Ashcroft, King’s Liverpool Regt., fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Ashcroft, of “Burwood” Waterford Road, Oxton, who has been killed in action. In our last issue we announced that the Lieutenant had been missing since the 9th of this month. Now, however, word has been received by his parents to the effect that he fell on that day whilst leading his men. The letter from his Commanding Officer reads thus :- “I am sorry to have to write and tell you that your son was killed in action on the 9th inst. while leading his platoon. I cannot yet realise that I have lost him, as he was one of the finest men I have met in my life, and one of the cheeriest. He was loved by his men as was only natural, his one thought being for their comfort and happiness, and I know his loss will be greatly felt by not only his men but the remainder of the company. I feel I cannot express my thoughts in writing, but I feel sure you will appreciate how deeply I feel for you in your irreparable loss. Will you please also convey my sympathies to his mother and brothers.”
Lieut. F. Ashcroft, whose age was 31, joined the colours at the outbreak of the war, and was attached to the “Comrades” Battalion. He was educated at the Birkenhead School.
Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft have five other sons serving with the colours.
Frederick’s two brothers, William died in March 1918 and Edward Stanley in May 1918
Newspaper article and information by Chris Booth