Grandparents and parents

Edward’s father was Edward Ashworth, son of another Edward, a stockbroker. He was born in Manchester about 1849. He is variously described as a bank cashier, bank clerk and bank agent. He was sufficiently prosperous to employ 1 or 2 servants. Edward’s mother was Zillah Rose Green (1858 – 1948), born in Whitby, Yorkshire, and daughter of John Green, described as a tea and coffee dealer in 1871 and a grocer in 1887.

Edward and Zillah married at St Margaret’s church, Burnage, on 28 April 1887. He was 38 and she was 29. In 1891 they lived at 19 Chatham Grove, Withington, with Edward and his sister Florence who was 2 months old. In 1901 they lived at 18 Rathen Rd, Withington, with Edward and another sister, Lilian Maude, aged 10. There is no further mention of Florence. In 1911 they were living at 8 Pine Rd, Didsbury. They later appear to have moved to 26 Pine Rd.

Edward

Edward was born in Withington on 3 July 1889 and baptised at St Margaret’s church, Burnage, on 4 August 1889. Edward was a bank clerk before enlisting. He enlisted in Manchester on 3 September 1914. His service number was 8369. He trained at Heaton Park and was promoted to lance corporal on 23 October 1914 but less than a week later he requested to revert to private and this was granted. He went overseas in November 1915 and was injured in January and June 1916. He initially served with the 17th Manchesters but left on 25 October 1916 to commence officer training at cadet school at Bisley.

He was commissioned as second lieutenant on 24 February 1917 and was assigned to the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). There is some uncertainty about his battalion but it was most likely the 56th. Edward was killed in action on 28 March 1918 near the village of Gavrelle, near Arras, France. He was originally buried near to where he died but after the Armistice the battlefields were cleared of front line burials when the land returned to civilian use. In June 1920, Edward’s body was exhumed and he was buried in the Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-en-Gohelle, Pas de Calais, reference VIII. G. 36.

Probate was granted in Manchester on 31 October 1918 to Edward Ashworth, bank manager. He left £429 11s 9d.