Pte Alfred Arthur Ashton, 33689, 8th Battalion Yorks & Lancs Regiment, was killed in action in Belgium on October 1st, 1917. He was aged 19.

He was struck by a shell whilst doing his duty in the front line and died instantly, according to a letter from a comrade sent to parents Bruce and Annie Ashton, of 28 Duke Street, Luton.

Alfred Ashton had enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment six months earlier and was subsequently transferred to the Yorks and Lancs Regiment. He had been in France only five weeks.

Prior to joining up, he was employed in his father's business, Ashton Bros, as a marine store dealer.