Private Clarence Ash

Private Clarence Ash was born in Stoke-on-Trent and lived in Staffordshire. He enlisted in the South Staffordshire Regiment and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Ash successfully completed his glider training, and was posted to A Company, 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment and took part in operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Pte Ash’s body was washed up on the bank of the river Lek on 18 November 1944. Like so many others, he was probably killed (or drowned), aged 25, during the withdrawal of the remainder of the 1st Airborne Division from the Oosterbeek perimeter on the night of 25/26 September 1944. His body was recovered from the most westerly point of any of the men in the Division, some 65 km west of the battlefield as the crow flies, about 80 km downstream. He was buried in the Commonwealth war grave at the Schoonhoven (Willige-Langerak) Churchyard.

From Annelieke van de Leemput:

Last august the local archive lady finally found Clarence’s dossier, she presumed it was lost. In this dossier a heart breaking letter from his mother written in 1947. In this letter she expressed her clear wish for Clarence’s remainder to stay buried in Willige Langerak to give Clarence his rest but also as she knew a man from Willige Langerak was continually taken care of his grave…. I’ll make sure to pass the adoption letter to a family with children or a school class, I have not figured it out yet. I follow my heart. I, too, will always continue to look after Clarence’s grave. And I think Clarence’ mother would have been very proud with this Remembrance with you, the Arnhem Riders, paying your respect together with us “locals” and the flower children.

Yesterday I spoke to Dirk. He played on the John Frost Bridge for the very first time but also in the Vitesse stadium before the start of the Airborne football game. Extra special for him because of his connection with Clarence. He also told me you gave him the input for playing Abide with me and Going Home after the one minute of silence, thank youuuuuuu Dave ☺️✨️.

Xx Annelieke