The son of J. Len and Rebecca Ashton were reported to be living at 550 king St. W., Chatham, ON. Berton was the brother of Jay Ernest, V19279, RCNVR.

Ashton was overseas from December 1939 to May 1944. He served at Dunkirk.

Ashton enlisted in 1939 in London, ON. the 58 enlistment in the Royal Canadian Regt. After training in Canada he went overseas with the RCR, but transferred to the transport section in England. Letters received in Chatham said that he was recovering from a stomach ailment which had him confined to hospital. CDN 18/02/42.

The CDN 15/05/44 (P) reported that 24 year old Berton was returning to Canada after four years of service overseas. His mother received a Mother’s Day telegram from her son that and said, “it was the nicest present any mother could have for Mother’s Day”. His parents were sure that he should be home soon. He called them long distance from Montreal to his wife and daughter. Most of the family were at the station to welcome him home. He said he had a wonderful trip home and the excitement and joy was completed when he met his family and friends at the station.

Tpr. Ashton and his wife were visiting her parents in Brigden, and then returned to Chatham. They got married in 1938. A year later, war broke out and he enlisted with the RCR in London 15 Sept. 1939.

He was on the staff of the army Service Corps in Stratford, Pte. Ashton was reported in the CDN 20/04/43 returning to Stratford after spending a weekend with relatives in Chatham.

The CDN 23/12/44 reported that Tpr. Ashton and his wife were in Chatham to visit his family.

He returned home with the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. He was in France when he first encountered Nazis and was helping with the evacuation at Dunkirk. Since then, he had never been out of England. Two years later, he broke his shoulder and his category was subsequently lowered.

Ashton was discharged on April 18th, 1945 due to general demobilization.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CFF-FD44, CS-RH, PSUC-RH, IODE(N), CDN

Birthplace	Detroit
Religion	United Church
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	1939
Where Enlisted	`
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Rita Ashton

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