Jonathon Robert Ash

On Saturday 3 March 1917, the Newcastle Morning Herald reported, “Private J. Ash, the ex-Adamstown B.A. player, is in hospital, ill. ‘Jonty’ can be numbered among the few unfortunate ‘Soccer’ players who get hurt on the field of play. Two seasons ago, while playing for Rosebuds against Barnsley, on the latter’s ground, Jonty broke a bone in the leg, and was laid by for some time. The accident came very suddenly, and at first looked more serious than it turned out. The referee (Mr. W. Hughes) consulted the two captains, and decided to stop the game. Barnsley, in true sporting spirit, came forward, and forfeited the points to Adamstown. ‘Jonty’ was one of the first batch of Soccer players to enlist, and all join in wishing the whole hearted bustler of Adamstown a speedy recovery.” Private Ash was admitted to hospital in England with malaria. In 1918 he was back at the front and suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. By war’s end he had been promoted to Lance Corporal. Before returning to Australia, he married a widow Annie Louisa Sargent. She died in 1940. Jonathon married again in 1942. He passed away in 1953, aged 63.