The Old Birkonian Society Council have organised a memorial to recognise the funding contributions made by Mrs C W Ashcroft to transform the original ‘slope’ connecting the path by the School field with the Gymnasium, into the Ashcroft Steps.
The donation was made by Mrs Ashcroft in honour of three of her sons, who were killed in the First World War. The original refurbishment of the steps was finished in 1955, and more recently again has been transformed along with the Prep playground. A plaque bearing the names of the Ashcroft’s is now placed at the bottom and the top of the steps.
Mr and Mrs Charles Wesley Ashcroft had six sons and two daughters, with sadly three of those sons not returning from the War.
Lieutenant William Ashcroft, of the 19th Battalion The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), was the eldest son of the family, born in 1881, and killed in action near St Quentin on March 22nd 1918. William was at Birkenhead School from 1896 to 1900, he was a School Prefect, Captain of the Cricket XI, and a member of the Rugby XV. On leaving School he attended Caius College, Cambridge, to study Classics. He returned to Liverpool after his degree and studied law, and when the war broke out was a partner in the firm of Dodds, Ashcroft and Cook. He devoted his spare time to social work and was a Sunday School Superintendent at the Central Hall Mission in Liverpool. For some years he had played as a forward in the Birkenhead Park Rugby XV, and also for Cheshire. William’s loss was felt by his many friends and his untimely death described as little short of a tragedy.
Lieutenant Edward Stanley Ashcroft, of the 17th Battalion The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), was the second son, born in 1882, and died of wounds while a prisoner of war on May 12th 1918. Edward entered Birkenhead School in 1896 and left in 1900. He was also a School Prefect, Captain of the Rugby XV and member of the Cricket XI. Following School, he went in to business in Liverpool. He played rugby for Birkenhead Park and Cheshire, and was also called upon to play for the North of England. Edward was also very committed to the work of the School Mission and spent much of his spare time devoted to the interests of young people. He realised more than most the value and duty of service, and he lived up to the highest ideals which he set himself. His loss was a severe one to the community.
Second Lieutenant Frederick Ashcroft, of the 18th Battalion The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) was the fourth son of the family, born in 1886 and killed in action at Arras on April 9th 1917. Frederick was at School from 1896 to 1905 where he was a School Prefect, Captain of the Cricket XI and member of the Rugby XV. He was in the cricket team for four years and in his last year made more runs than had ever been made by any boy in one year at the School, as well as taking over 100 wickets. Following School Frederick went to Emmanuel College to study Classics, and then became a schoolmaster at Hillside in Godalming, and then at Rhos-on-Sea Preparatory School. Described as a reserved and affectionate man, he was respected for his high ideals and straight character. His loss was felt as a personal one by many, especially those who had been taught by him.
Along with the new plaques on the steps, and being named on the School’s First World War Memorial, there is also a memorial window in the Chapel, placed in 1921, for the three Ashcroft brothers who lost their lives. Such dedications for the Ashcroft’s, and for all who gave their lives in both the First and Second World Wars, serve as a reminder to us all that their sacrifice may never be forgotten and that their example may continue to inspire generations to come.
