The Ashman Brothers

27th May 2026

The 1918 Memorial Plaque (given to the next-of-kin of all whose deaths were attributable to World War 1 and often called a ’Dead Man’s Penny’) is probably the saddest item in the Museum’s Collection.

The Collection is privileged to have two of them from two local brothers Killed In Action:

• Henry Douglas Ashman (1892 – 21 Aug 1915), killed in Gallipoli whilst serving as a Private (No. 1993) in the 1st Battalion, Berkshire Yeomanry.
• Cyril Arthur Ashman (1897 – 28 Oct 1917), killed in the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) serving as a Private (No. 7461) in the 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company.

These were donated on behalf of their mother, Mrs Alice Ashman, originally of Dairy Farm, Eton Wick, but then of Slough.

The brothers are remembered on the Eton Wick & Boveney War Memorial and the Eton Parish Church Gates. Lest we forget.

To learn a little more about the ‘pennies’, visit our website, and about the brothers, visit the Eton Wick History website.

Images:

• WNDRB: 1018.79.1, Commemorative Medal for Henry Douglas Ashman.
• Photos of the two brothers in uniform from the Eton Wick History website.

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