Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Edward was born in 1896 at Wavertree to parents John Ashcroft and Martha (nee Hornby) Braley. By 1901, the family were living in West Derby and his father’s occupation was a house painter. Edward was one of five children. Before enlisting Edward’s occupation was an assistant librarian with Liverpool Corporation.

Edward enlisted on 16 June 1914 into the 9th King’s Liverpool Regiment. He was discharged from the Worcester Regiment on 3 February 1919, at the age of 22, due to sickness. His service and pension records have not survived. He served overseas and was awarded the 15 Star, British War and Victory Medal and Silver War Badge.

Edward, aged 23, married Lily Haygarth Johnson, aged 18, on 5 April 1920 in West Derby, Liverpool and they had seven children.

Edward obtained his teacher’s registration in July 1928. He taught brickwork and road construction at the Central Technical School in Liverpool between 1925 and 1942 and went on to become head master at the Junior Technical School for Building in Bournemouth from 1942. Edward served in the Home Guard during World War Two. When his father died in 1957, Edward was granted probate, and was described as a retired schoolmaster.

In 1939 Edward and Lily are living at 3 Willedstan Avenue, Crosby, Lancs with their son Albert, born 1922, who is an apprentice bricklayer.  Edward is a teacher at the Technical Institute (Building).

Edward’s grandson has been traced and has kindly provided the photograph of Edward in his Home Guard uniform.