Thomas Elsdon Ashford

Private, The Royal Fusiliers

VC
Register No.
38 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Private all Privates →
Unit
The Royal Fusiliers (register: 7th Regiment of Foot) all 7th Regiment of Foot VCs →
Date of action
16 August 1880 on this day → all of 1880 →
Conflict / campaign
Second Afghan War
London Gazette
7th October 1881 on this day → all of 1881 →
Born
in 1859 at Newmarket, Suffolk
Died
21st February 1913 at Whitwick, Leicestershire
Memorial / grave
Whitwick Cemetery, Leicestershire
Medal held by
the Royal Fusiliers Museum

Digest of citation

On 16th August 1880 at Deh Khoja, near Kandahar, (Afghan war) Private Ashford assisted a Lieutenant * in rescuing and carrying for a distance of over 200 yards under the fire of the enemy, a wounded soldier who had taken shelter in a blockhouse. Several times they were compelled to rest but they persevered and finally brought the wounded man to a place of safety. (* see also CHASE, W St.L Reg. No.. 205 )

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

ASHFORD, Thomas Elsdon, (Reg No. 38)

Private The Royal Fusiliers London Gazetted on 7th October 1881 VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Fusiliers Museum.

.Born in 1859 at Newmarket, Suffolk.

Died on 21st February 1913 at Whitwick, Leicestershire.

Memorial at Whitwick Cemetery, Leicestershire.

Digest of Citation reads: On 16th August 1880 at Deh Khoja, near Kandahar, (Afghan war) Private Ashford assisted a Lieutenant * in rescuing and carrying for a distance of over 200 yards under the fire of the enemy, a wounded soldier who had taken shelter in a blockhouse. Several times they were compelled to rest but they persevered and finally brought the wounded man to a place of safety. (* see also CHASE, W St.L Reg. No.. 205 )

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: Whitwick Cemetery, Leicestershire

Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.

Research this recipient further

Would you like to honour Thomas Elsdon Ashford by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.