A life history that started in Bloemfontein, stretched over several countries and was concluded where it began – in the Free State capital.
This sums up the very full and interesting life of Christopher Ashman, who passed away in Bloemfontein on 2 May at the age of 89.
Born on Christmas in 1934, Ashman matriculated from Christian Brothers’ College in Bloemfontein at the age of 16.
He started working for Shell in Hamilton, but was then called up for national service at 1 Special Service Battalion (SSB).
“He was the only guy in his class to be called up,” says Barry, his oldest son. “But he made many friends there.”
Ashman’s father, Richard, had joined the British Army after he was at Delville Wood as part of 3 South African Infantry Battalion (1SAI) during the First World War. He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the British Army in 1945.
“He was part of intake 14 at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and went on to serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas for the next 16 years. He was posted to, among others, Malaya (now Malaysia), Hong Kong, Brunei, Singapore, and the United Kingdom; was mentioned in dispatches for action in Borneo; and was made Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his service.”
In 1961 Ashman and Carol Botha, whom he met at Maselspoort before leaving Bloemfontein, married at the City Hall, a marriage that lasted for 63 years.
Their three children were born in three different countries – Barry in Hong Kong, China, in 1963; Neil in England in 1967; and Deryn in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1971.
After Ashman left the military in 1970, retiring as a major, they returned to Bloemfontein where he joined the motor industry, continuing his career when the family moved to Mafikeng (now Mahikeng) in the then Bophutswana in 1981. Here he was the dealer principal for Ford.
They left Mafikeng in 2006 after Carol, a teacher, retired from the International School there. They did, however, later return for three years when she was contracted by the school again.
According to Barry, his father led a rich and varied life and travelled widely, but always retained a love for the outdoors. He regularly spent time hunting in Botswana, walking in our national parks, and even running a game lodge for a spell.
He was heavily involved in the Anglican Cathedral as a sidesman alongside his wife.
“He was active until his mid-80s, when he became ill. He was poorly in the last two years and had lost mobility,” says Barry.
“As his family live all over the world, we will have a commemorative service for him in July.”
Ashman is survived by his wife, Carol, children Barry, Neil, and Deryn, and five grandchildren.
