John Henry Asher
Personal details
| Mother's name | Hannah Asher (nee Drew) |
| Father's name | Daniel Asher |
| Date of death | Sunday 2 September 1917 |
| Place of death | Bailleul, France |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
Service details
| Date enlisted | Friday 20 August 1915 |
| Rank at enlistment | Private |
| Rank at discharge | Lieutenant |
| Service | Artillery |
| Unit | 11th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Company | 43rd Battery |
| Awards | 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Story
John Asher (Service No 1189) was born around 1890 at Hurstville, NSW
When he enlisted John 24 years old, married, and working as a school teacher at Dapto, NSW His wife Maisie Heath Asher was listed as next of kin.
John embarked on SS Hawkes Bay with the 6th Reinforcement, 12th light horse, on 21st October 1915.
After arriving in Egypt he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to 11th field artillery brigade on 27th March 1916. John saw service on the Western Front. On 21st October 1916 he was again promoted this time to Lieutenant.
On 2nd September 1917 while he was at a restaurant in Bailleul, France, with another officer and a number of civilians an enemy aircraft came over the area and dropped a number of bombs, one hit the building causing a wall to fall on him. Although help was immediate nothing could be done for John as his neck had been broken. A number of civilians were also killed in the bombing.
John was buried with full military honours at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Plot III, Row E, Grave 208.
John's brother Charles Asher (Service no 6276) also served.
Information sources
NAA: B2455, ASHER J HRelated links
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/198202/ASHER,%20JOHN%20HENRY
https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=8202
https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1988134/