Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and was wondering if anyone could help me with some information on 2nd Lieutenant Ashburner. I know he served with the Durham Light Infantry (Service No 108203) and was killed when the ship that he boarded at Dunkirk was torpedoed. I was wondering if anyone could shed light on which Battalion he served with. Any details would be very much appreciated. Casualty
The 6th, 8th & 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry, 151st Infantry Brigade, were in 50 Div., 2nd Lt. JFC Ashburner is not listed in any of the 3 Rolls of Honour. I have done some online research and found mention of his father and one of his two brothers, his eldest brother also being killed during WWII: The Parish of Owermoigne Church Records World War II unit histories & officers You have to scroll down both attachment/pages to find the pertinent details. I also know that he was born in 1912 and was 28 years old when he died, but nothing further at this stage. Best, Steve.
The memorial to him can be found here;- St Michael's Church Church Lane Owermoigne West Dorset Dorset DT2 8HS England Born 1912 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India St Michael's Church - WW1 and WW2 Kyle
UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: John Ashburner Given Initials: J F C Rank: Second Lieutenant Death Date: May 1940 Number: 108203 Birth Place: Sussex Residence: Dorset Branch at Enlistment: Infantry Theatre of War: France and Belgium Campaign, 1939/40 Regiment at Death: Durham Light Infantry Branch at Death: Infantry England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976 Name: John Forbes Campbell Ashburner Father's name: L F Ashburner Mother's name: Jones Death Date: 27 May 1940 Death Place: Belgium John Forbes Campbell Ashburner Birth: 1912 - India Death: 28 May 1940 - Belgium F: Lionel Forbes Ashburner M: Ethel Hermione Bayley Interesting last item Surrey, England, Regimental Rolls, 1914-1947 Name: John Forbes Campbell Ashburner Event Date: 21 Oct 1939 Regiment Number: 6091980 Regiment: Queen's Royal West Surrey TD
This may back up TD`s last find? The undermentioned Cadets (ExGentlemen Cadets, Royal Military College) from Officer Cadet Training Unit, Sandhurst, to be 2nd Lts. 22nd Oct. 1939:— Durham L.I.—John Forbes Campbell ASHBURNER. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34719/page/7251/data.pdf Just to add this reply from Jim/Verrieres @ DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY 1920-46 Kyle
Thank you so much everyone, this is brilliant, so much information and very much appreciated. Just a thought, are there any records of who boarded which ships or was it just impossible in all the chaos to try and track battalions or individuals? I only ask because I've seen some records where next of kin seem to have known which ship their family members where on during the evacuation when they were hit or sunk.
Have checked McGregor Ashburner was posted to GHQ BEF on 29/1/1940 and was reported drowned at Dunkirk on 27/28 May 1940 unfortunately it does not state the DLI Bn he was with . Regards Paul