Bernard Ashpole
Friday 4th February 1916: We have received more details
concerning the death of Bernard Ashpole of the 7th Battalion, which readers
will remember from our issue of 19th January in an incident for which Corporals
Blanshard and Ivory have been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Bernard
Ashpole was the son of Arthur Ashpole of West End, Kempston. The Captain of his
company writing to his parents said: “The Germans had exploded a mine that
evening about 5 pm and followed this with a heavy bombardment of our line. Your
son apparently entered the mouth of a mine shaft to take shelter and
encountered a rush of gas which overcame him and he was unable to get out. Two
NCOs in his platoon pluckily entered the shaft of the mine in spite of the gas,
and with some considerable difficulty succeeded in getting him out, but it was
unfortunately too late. His loss will be much felt in the Company, where he was
exceedingly popular, and you have our sincere sympathy in the sad
circumstances”. Sergeant H Hassall also of the 7th Beds wrote: “It was with
deep regret I heard of the death of your son. He was a very good lad all
through his career in the Army. I always found him to be a willing worker no
matter what was required of him, and also as clean a soldier as anyone could
wish. Only half an hour before the mine exploded I was talking to him about
Bedford, as I am from the town myself; also Kempston in a way is connected with
me, as a sister of mine is in the Schools there”.
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