William and Catherine Ashford - Civilian War Dead
William and Catherine Ashford - Civilian War Dead
William Ashford – Family Background
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| John Ashford and Jane Davies marriage certificate St Mary’s Church, Swansea |
Early Census Records
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| 1871 Census |
The 1871 Census records the Ashford family living at 6 Inkerman Street, St Thomas. At the address was William Ashford (50), born in Cardiganshire, a carpenter and a widower. Present with him were his daughters Sarah (15), employed as a housekeeper, and Jane (23), a labourer’s wife. Jane’s husband, John (26), born in Devon, worked as a labourer, and their son William (2) was also in the household.
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| 1881 Census |
By the 1881 Census, the family had moved to 5 Vincent Street, Swansea. John Ashford (33) was employed as a mill man and flour miller, and his wife Jane (33) managed the household. Their children were William (12), David John (8), and Thomas George (5), all attending school, along with Ellen (2) and Samuel (1 month).
Marriage and Family Life
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| William Ashford and Kate Reid Thomas marriage certificate Christ Church, Swansea |
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| 1891 Census |
At the time of the 1891 Census, the Ashford family were living at 14 Richard Street, Swansea. John Ashford (47) was employed as a labourer, with Jane (43). William (22) was also working as a labourer, and living with his wife Kate (24) and their infant son William (1). Other children in the household included David (18), a labourer; Thomas (15), employed as a cold rollerman in tinworks; Ellen (12); Samuel (11); and Bessie (7), all of whom attended school.
Later Census Records
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| 1901 Census |
By the 1901 Census, William and Kate were living independently at 1 Clifton Villas, Swansea. William (33) was employed as a general labourer, and Kate (33) managed the household. Their children were John William (10) and David Stanley (3).
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| 1911 Census |
The 1911 Census records the family at 19 Brynsifi Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Swansea. William (42) was working as a fuel worker, with Kate (44). Their children were John William (20), employed as a wood carver; David Stanley (13); and Florence (10), both attending school. Also present were William’s brother-in-law Hamilton Thomas (21), a barman, and his niece Angus Williams (8), who was at school.
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| 1939 Register |
The 1939 Register shows William and Kate still residing at 19 Brynsifi Terrace. William was recorded as retired, formerly a fuel supplier, while Kate R. undertook unpaid domestic duties.
Kate Reid Thomas – Family Background
Kate Reid Thomas was born in 1867 in Swansea, the
daughter of John Thomas and Catherine Reed, who were married in 1862
in Swansea.
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| 1871 Census |
The 1871 Census records the Thomas family living at 1 Clifton Street, Swansea. John Thomas (30) was employed as a shipwright, with his wife Catherine (28). Their children were Kate Reid (4) and Edith Wynne (9 months).
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| 1881 Census |
By the 1881 Census, the family had moved to 34 Watkin Street, Swansea. John Thomas (40) remained a shipwright, and Catherine (38) managed the household. Their children were Kate R. (14), Edith W. (10), Thomas J. S. (7), and Mary E. (4), all attending school, along with William B. (2) and an infant aged two days.
The Air Raid of 21st February 1941 – Swansea Three Nights’ Blitz
The air raid of Friday 21st February 1941
marked the second and most destructive night of what became known as the
Swansea Three Nights’ Blitz. German aircraft attacked the town in large
numbers, launching a sustained bombardment that lasted for several hours. The
raid targeted residential districts, dockland areas, railway
infrastructure, and industrial sites, but the widespread nature of
the bombing resulted in severe civilian casualties.
A combination of high-explosive bombs and incendiaries
was employed. Incendiaries ignited fires across densely built streets, while
high-explosive bombs collapsed houses, destroyed entire terraces, and ruptured water
mains, drastically reducing the ability of fire crews to combat the
spreading fires. With water pressure severely compromised, many blazes burned
unchecked, merging into larger fires that illuminated the town throughout the
night.
Large areas of Swansea, particularly working-class
neighbourhoods, were devastated. Civilians were trapped beneath collapsed
buildings, and rescue work was carried out under extremely hazardous
conditions, amid unstable ruins, intense heat, and unexploded ordnance. Air
raid wardens, fire services, civil defence workers, and volunteers laboured
continuously through the night and into the following day.
By the morning of 22nd February, Swansea
had suffered catastrophic damage, with hundreds killed or mortally wounded,
thousands injured, and many thousands more left homeless. The events of
21 February 1941 stand as one of the darkest nights in the town’s history.
Death during the Swansea Three Nights’ Blitz
William Ashford and his wife Kate were both killed
during the Swansea Three Nights’ Blitz, on 21st February 1941,
as a direct result of the air raid described above.
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| Register of Civilian Deaths due to War Operations - Catherine Ashford |
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The Register of Civilian Deaths due to War Operations
records that they were buried at Bethel on 28th February
1941.
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