Fate: Embarked RMS "Osterley", Sydney, 15 January 1916. Killed in action, Bullecourt, France.
Date of death: 9 April 1917
Buried: Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France, Plot III, Row D, Grave 13
Arthur Gordon Ash was born in Parkes in 1895, the sixth of eight children of George John Ash and Alice nee Stibbard. The Ash family moved to Lucknow, where Arthur and his siblings were raised.
On Wednesday, 18 August 1915, Captain Eade of the Defence Department opened a new recruiting depot at the Drill Hall in Lords Place. Arthur was among the 42 men who presented themselves to Dr Freyer for medical examination, and was one of only 14 who were declared fit for service.
At 10am on Monday, 30 August 1915, a large crowd gathered at the Drill Hall to join Arthur and 23 other locals as they left for Lithgow training camp. The Orange Town Band led the procession to the railway station where the Mayor, Ald. McNeilly addressed the crowd and the men were presented with cigarettes and pocket testaments.
Arthur embarked RMS "Osterley" in Sydney on 15 January 1916. He served on the Western Front until 9 April 1917 when he was killed in action at Bullecourt in France.
Arthur Gordon Ash is commemorated on Lucknow Public School Honour Roll, St Joseph's Church Orange Honour Roll, on the World War I Roll of Honour on the southern face of the Orange Cenotaph and on panel number 31 on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
At Lucknow Hall on Sunday, 5 February 1920, the Reverend EA Homfray, unveiled a memorial tablet in memory of George Alfred Blunt and Arthur Gordon (Bun) Ash. He claimed the oak tablet would remind those in years to come of what the two brave Lucknow boys had done, and the sacrifice they had made in the world's greatest war.
In 1923 the Anzac Memorial Avenue of trees was planted along Bathurst Road to commemorate fallen WWI soldiers. A tree was planted in honour of "Pte AG Ash"; it was donated by HH Lee. Very few of the trees are still standing today.
