| Hugh Ashfield was the son of Hugh Ashfield and Mrs. Annie Ashfield (nee Greer). Hugh was born about 1899 in Killymoon, Cookstown.
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| The 1901 census lists Hugh as age 2, living with the family at house 39 in Killymoon Street, Cookstown. Hugh was a carpenter.
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| Hugh’s mother Annie Ashfield died on 3rd September 1909.
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| The 1911 census recorded Hugh as age 11 living with the family at house 45 in Killymoon Street, Cookstown. Hugh was 11 years old and still at school.
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| Hugh’s father died on 3rd July 1911.
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| Family: Hugh Ashfield (died 3rd July 1911), Annie Ashfield (died 3rd September 1909), Mary Ann Ashfield (born 20th June 1884?), Hugh Ashfield (born about 1898), Adam Ashfield (born 24th July 1898, died 8th February 1902), Lydia Ashfield (born 30th July 1899), Eliza May Ashfield (born 8th May 1903), John Ashfield (b, died 4th November 1906).
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| Hugh Ashfield enlisted in the army at Omagh and went out with a draft of men after the Battle of the Somme.
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| Private Ashfield was serving with the 10th Battalion of Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was wounded at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge and taken to a Casualty Clearing Station (C.C.S.)
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| Private Hugh Ashfield died of his wounds on 11th August 1917. He was 19 years old.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 23rd August 1917:
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| Private Hugh Ashfield, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, brother of Mrs Simpson and Mrs Nixon, Killymoon Street, Cookstown, died of wounds.
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| Private David Armstrong, from Stewartstown, was taken to the same Casualty Clearing Station and died a day later on 12th August 1917. He was only 18 years old.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th August 1918:
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| ASHFIELD – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Hugh Ashfield, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action 10th August 1917.
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‘When last we saw him smiling,
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He looked so strong and brave;
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We never thought how soon he’d be
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Laid in a soldier’s grave.
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Our brother sleeps, though not for ever,
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There shall be a glorious dawn,
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We shall meet to part, no, never,
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On that resurrection morn.’
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| Deeply regretted by his sorrowing sisters, Mrs Simpson and Mrs Nixon, also his brothers-in-law (Sergeant) Robert C Simpson, on active service; and Robert Nixon, Killymoon Street, Cookstown.
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| Private H Ashfield was buried with full military honours in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Private David Armstrong is buried just a few graves away in the same row.
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| Private Hugh Ashfield is commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and on St. Luran’s Church of Ireland Roll of Honour, Derryloran, Cookstown.
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