Ashmore, Richard Howell (Richard)
Private
No. 525078, 2nd Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps
Died on Sunday 6 May 1917 (aged 47)
Buried:
Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Grave II. F. 84)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Bangor Grammar School
Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI)
Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) War Memorial
Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM)
Richard Howell Ashmore was born on 22 February 1870 in Drumduffy, Creevelea, Co Leitrim. At attestation he declared his date of birth to be 22 February 1872.
Richard Howell Ashmore was a son of the Rev John Ashmore, a Presbyterian minister, and Anna Eliza (Martha) Ashmore (nee Howell, daughter of Dr John Howell, Eglinton, Co Londonderry) of Drumkeerin, Co Leitrim who were married on 3 July 1862 in Faughanvale (Eglinton) Parish Church of Ireland Church Co Londonderry.
The Rev John Ashmore and Anna Eliza (Martha) Ashmore (nee Howell) had at least six children:
Sarah (born 16 November 1864 in Drumduffy, Co Leitrim; died 1864)
Martha (born 16 November 1864 in Drumduffy, Co Leitrim; died 1864)
Hannah (born 16 November 1864 in Drumduffy, Co Leitrim; died 1864)
Martha (born 25 November 1865 in Drumduffy, Co Leitrim)
Sarah (born 1868 in Drumduffy, Co Leitrim)
Richard Howell (born 22 February 1870 in The Manse, Drumduffy, Co Leitrim)
Richard Howell Ashmore was educated at RBAI and QUB (he graduated with a BA degree in 1892).
Richard Howell Ashmore was a teacher by profession and in 1901 he was ‘Headmaster of an Intermediate School’.
In 1901 he and his wife Mary (nee Wilson) were living at Ballycultra, Holywood.
Richard Howell Ashmore and Mary Wilson were married on 13 August 1895 in High Street Presbyterian Church, Holywood. Mary Wilson from Marino, Holywood was a daughter of Thomas H. Wilson, a merchant.
Richard Howell Ashmore was Headmaster of Bangor Grammar School from 1903 to 1905 and it is known from QUB records that he was at a time Headmaster of Lisburn Intermediate School and at another time Headmaster of Clonmel Grammar School, Co Tipperary.
Richard and Mary Ashmore moved to British Columbia in Canada where they lived in Mission City during the time that Richard was teaching in McKay, British Columbia.
Richard Ashmore enlisted in Victoria, British Columbia on 11 November 1916 and it was noted in his attestation papers that he was 5 feet 10½ inches tall. He had blue grey eyes, a ruddy complexion and grey hair and he was 46 years old when he enlisted. Private Richard Ashmore served with 2nd Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps and he died on 6 May 1917 while the 2nd Field Ambulance was based at Ariane Dressing Station on the road between Lens and Arras.
Private Richard Howell Ashmore (No. 525078) was buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension and there is an inscription on his Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) headstone:
Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori
Life is ever Lord of Death
Private Richard Howell Ashmore is commemorated in Bangor Grammar School.