William Ashdown, Edward Ashdown & Arthur Limbrick

[Paul38]

Hello,

I am a new member of the forum and I am seeking the help of existing members.

My username is Paul38. I am carrying out some research on some former soldiers of the Manchester Regiment. Their names are: William Ashdown, Edward Ashdown and Arthur Limbrick.

William was a regular soldier who joined the Manchesters in 1900 and fought in the Boer War. He served we think with the 1st Battalion in South Africa and after, being discharged about 1912. He then re-enlisted in WW1 but we know very little about his war record.

Edward is William's younger brother. We found a possible entry for him in the 1911 Census which shows he was serving with the 1st Battalion at Kamptee Barracks, India. However, there are no discharge papers in the WO97 series at the National Archives so we cannot be certain when he joined the Regiment or when he was discharged. We know he was born about 1885/1886. We do find another reference to him joining the 7th Battalion, The Manchesters, in January 1916. After being promoted to Acting Corporal in March 1916, it seems he was medically discharged in June 1916. His army papers seem incomplete and we have been unable to find out why he should be discharged in 1916 and what happened to him afterwards.

Arthur Limbrick was William's and Edward's step-father. He was listed as a Colour Sergeant in the 1st Battalion, the Manchesters. We are trying to discover how he got to Kinsale, Ireland in 1891where he married William's and Edward's mother, Catherine. Was he based at Fort Charles or Fort Westmorland at Kinsale. If so, what was his job?

Does anybody have information on these three soldiers. Your help would be appreciated.

[sphinx]

Arthur Limbrick, b. 1886 at St. James, Liverpool.

A striker at Roden Ship Builders, Liverpool.

Attested into 3rd Militia Bn. The Manchester Regiment on 3.4.1884 as Pte. 1023.  At that time he lived at Back Parliament St, Liverpool.

From what you say it would appear he transferred into the regular Battalions of the Manchester Regiment soon after.

The 1st Bn were in Ireland from 1888 to 1894 and were in Kinsale in 1891.

regards

[sphinx]

William Ashdown b. 1872 on the Isle of Wight.
Enlisted in the 5th Militia Bn. The Manchester Regiment 26.5.1900 as Pte. 7045.
Was a farm labourer living at 75 Minto St, Ashton under Lyne

Transferred to the 2nd Bn. The Manchetser Regiment on 11.7.1900 as Pte. 6309.

regards

[Paul38]

Thank You.

Will cross check facts.

Paul38

[Paul38]

Have cross-checked facts. These are our men. Answers a lot of questions. Hope I can find something on Edward now.

Edward a curious case. He was christened/baptised Edmund Ellis in Bermuda in 1886. His father was serving in the Royal Artillery at the time. Took me a long time to find him but eventually realised he used the name Edward Ashdown. Don't know if army transcribed wrong name on records or he decided to use the name Edward instead.

Also, expert at the National Archives thought something "fishy" about the limited army papers that exist, as if some parts are missing. Don't know what to make of this.

I'm sure Edmund/Edward are the same man but I'm looking to find any enlistment papers to prove it. I thought if anyone could help the manchester.forum would.

Paul38

[mack]

theres a very informative service record for william on ancestry.

mack