Queen Victoria. Army Long Service and Good Conduct. Ashton. Shropshire Light Infantry.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R. 1126. Cr. Sergt. S. Ashton. Shrops: L.I. A little play in the suspension. Good very fine.n 

Samuel Ashton was born in London and, at the age of fourteen, enlisted as a Bandsman with the 82nd Regiment of Foot on 21 October 1870 at Portsmouth. He was appointed Drummer on 1 November and later Corporal in April 1875. Ashton transferred to the 52nd Regiment of Foot in March 1878 and then joined the 42nd Brigade on 1 April as a Private, being quickly advanced Lance Corporal that same month and then to Corporal in October. The following year he was promoted Lance Sergeant and Sergeant in November 1879, and later consented to serve in the 2nd Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry with whom he was confirmed as a Sergeant in July 1881. He spent most of 1881 stationed overseas in Natal, where he was posted from March until December 1881. Appointed Colour Sergeant in January 1882, Ashton re-engaged that September to complete 21 years of service. He received his L.S. & G.C. on 1 April 1889 and was finally discharged on 23 October 1891. Ashton spent his retirement at 12 Manor Road, Southampton, where he died on 11 April 1939 at the age of 81; sold together with extensive copied research.