No.7647055, Corporal, Harry Peter ASHARD
Aged 26
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Harry Peter ASHARD was born in Haverhill on 28th July 1917 (Risbridge Q3-1917 4A:1260), son of Harry Ambrose and Edith L.ASHARD (née PAGE).
From the writing on his photo here it seems he was known in the family as Peter. His parents had the H A Ashard, Confectioners and Tobacconists at 23 Queen Street for the best part of fifty years. He attended Haverhill Secondary School and on completion of his education he left the town to take up employment at Shire Hall, Bury St Edmunds where he followed up his natural bent for mathematics by joining the accounts department. Later he was employed in the Treasury Department of the Wanstead and Woodford Borough Council. In 1939, he passed the Intermediate Examination of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants held in January of that year. Over 500 entered for this national examination with a pass rate of only 20%. Harry came third overall and was awarded the bronze medal. In the 1939 register his father Harry A [30/5/1882] tobacconist/confectioner and mother Edith T [13/9/1889] were at 23 Queen Street, Haverhill. They moved later to Clacton on Sea. He married an Ilford girl, Hilary Margaret SANDERSON, in January 1941 (Newmarket Q1-1941 4A:2671). She seems to have married Ronald J DAWSON in 1949 in Ilford. Harry's PoW card has his wife at 42 Van Vaughan Gardens, Ilford. |
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In October 1940 Harry joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, quickly making the rank of Corporal. Harry was captured on the 15th February 1942 when the British surrendered to the Japanese. He was then put to work on the Siam-Burna railway. Harry was initially buried in Tarsao No.2 Cemetery, grave 18, another Haverhill man, Sidney Pavey, also a POW, was in his burial party. He was moved to Kanchanburi in 1946. |
His memorial in Haverhill cemetery photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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