Cecil Reuben Ash born 1889 Clerkenwell, London

The above photo was taken in 1913 - the baby is Doris Winifred Ash, her mother Mabel Maud Louise Dodd is to her left and to her right is Cecil Reuben Ash.  Also in this photo is Mabel's sister Lilian Kate Dodd and her then boyfriend and later 1st husband, William Edward (Bill) Dewing.

I have created this blog to share with family members both here in Australia and in back in England, where the story starts.  In particular, for a Robert Ash, who in 2003 made a posting to Genes Reunited with a plea for information on his great uncle.

http://www.genesreunited.com.au/boards.page/board/general_topics/thread/626810

I was busy with my own young family at that time, and didnt start exploring our family links until a lot later.  Sadly "Robert Ash" appears to have changed email address or can no longer check it as I havent had a reply.  I am guessing Robert would be possibly be the grandson of one of Reuben's brothers,  Albert Ash c1878 London or Harold Ash c1887 London or George junior.

Cecil's parents were;

ASH, George c1843 Northampton 
ISSIT, Caroline c1846 Northampton 

George was a confectioner, with Cecil also learning the trade - in the 1911 census they were both busy making lollies!!!  My mum says Cecil continued making lollies until his last days.....but thats not all that Cecil got up to!!

I have his tiny leather-bound diary from 1920 where he counts his pennies to pay for his family's adventure to Australia.  His granddaughter, my mother, recalls many of his business dealings - but the most documented is the Ash's adventures in the Riverland Soldier Settlement of Cadell, South Australia 192X-1935.  Trove, the online Australian Newspapers, paints a wonderful story of the family's time there.

The story starts on the SS Borda in 1920...