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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 238

The Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque awarded in memory of Major S. C. Ashton, Auckland Mounted Rifles, who was killed in action at the storming of the Te Le Saba mound on 31 October 1917

Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Sidney Charles Ashton), some verdigris spots, very fine

A unique name upon the CWGC.

A fine biography of Sidney Charles Ashton is offered by the NZ War Graves Project:

'...born 20 January 1873 in England the son of Thomas Felix and Emma Ashton. The family immigrated to New Zealand in the late 1800's and settled in Whangateau, Parish of Matakana, New Zealand. Chas and his brother Henry both farmed land close to their family homestead. Although not born in the area he spent the majority of his life in and around Whangateau and Matakana. A keen horseman and excellent shot he started his Military career with the Rodney Mounted Rifles in 1902 which lead to him receiving the NZ Long & Efficient Service Medal for over 15 years military service in 1917.

Upon enlisting for the Great War in 1915 he was assigned to the Auckland Mounted Rifles as a training officer then sent overseas to fight in the desert of Egypt. In June 1916 he was promoted to Major and commander of the 3rd Squadron. Sidney was killed during the storming of the Te Le Saba mound, an action in where the Auckland Mounted Rifles fought bravely and with honour. He was 44 years old when he died on 31 October 1917 and is buried at Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel and remembered on the Matakana War Memorial. 'Lest we forget.'

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Sold for
£230

Starting price
£50