Three: Lieutenant-Colonel H. Ashton, Devonshire Regiment

Coronation 1902, silver; Volunteer Officers’ Decoration, E.VII.R., unnamed as issued, silver, hallmarks for London 1905, with integral top riband bar; Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R. (Capt: & Hon: Maj: H. Ashton. 4th V.B. Devon. Regt.) good very fine (3) £240-£280

Harry Ashton was born in North Devon in 1863, the second son of Richard Ashton a prominent local businessman, liberal politician and twice Mayor of Barnstaple. He enlisted in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in 1881 before joining the 4th Volunteer Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in the rank of Sergeant in 1885. He was commissioned into that same Battalion in 1890 and was advanced Lieutenant in 1891 and Captain in 1894. He was awarded the King’s Coronation Medal in 1902 and the Volunteer Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1905. Further promotions came in 1907 when he was advanced to Honorary Major, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel and he was awarded the Volunteer Decoration (London Gazette 3 March 1908, refers).

In 1908, the 4th Volunteers became the 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (Territorial Force) although Ashton, one of its senior Majors, suffered head injuries in 1909 while hunting and decided to resign.

At the outbreak of the Great War, aged 51, he was once again ready to serve his country and he served initially with the 5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment before he returned to the 6th Battalion in Barnstaple, in December 1914, serving as Officer Commanding the Administration Centre Number 165 Territorial Force Depot, a post he held until his final resignation due to ill health in May 1919. He was awarded a Services Rendered Badge.

An extremely busy man, Ashton was a qualified accountant, businessman, J.P., and Alderman. He was secretary to two local building societies and like his father he became Mayor of Barnstaple in 1922. Ashton died in 1948 having given a total of 34 years’ commitment to his county’s Volunteer and Territorial Service.

Sold with copied research including three large photographs (two of these with naming) of the Devonshire Volunteers including the recipient.