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Ashford, Ralph Hilton; 'Leader' founder
Biography
BiographyFounded the 'Leader' in 1939 (the obituary's 1937 is probably wrong).
Mrs Ashton died in March 1951; the funeral at St John's Anglican Church was described in the March 15 'Leader', which gave the family names.
There was no wife listed in the 1956 electoral roll, but in 1960 there was Lavina (Lavena in 1964, Lavinia in 1966))Jane, married, at 28 McParland Street; Geoffrey and Margaret Rose Ashford, married, were at 6A Logan Street.
Lavina (the most common spelling) had disappeared from electoral rolls in 1971.
The July 26, 1962 'Leader' published Ralph's obituary; the following information comes from it.
Born in Chard, Somerset Mr Ashford served in the Royal Sussex Regiment in the 191S British Expeditionary Force and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He arrived in New Zealand on Anzac Day, 1922, and in 1938 commenced to distribute a weekly newspaper in the district. In 1937 he started printing the "Leader" of which he was editor up to his untimely death. During World War II. Mr Ashford was second-in-command of the Home Guard with the rank of Captain. He was also a member of the committee responsible for sending parcels to our boys in the services overseas.
A Past-president and foundation, member of the local R.S.A., and past president of the Bowling Club, the late Mr Ashford was at the time of his death vice-president of the R.S.A., Rugby Club, the local Band. Ladies Hockey Club and the Association Football Club. He was a foundation member of Rotary, a member of the Pony "Club and of the Agricultural & Pastoral Association, and Patron of the Repertory Society and Upper Hutt District Cricket Club. Mr Ashford was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1949 and his services in this capacity were always freely given.
In Memoriam notices were made by Jean*, his second wife, with his son Julian; son Geoffrey and his wife Margaret, and Les, Jean and Valerie, presumably Jean's children.
* Electoral rolls list his wife and widow as Jane, prefixed by three different versions of Lavinia.
Dates of addresses below come from electoral rolls.
Mrs Ashton died in March 1951; the funeral at St John's Anglican Church was described in the March 15 'Leader', which gave the family names.
There was no wife listed in the 1956 electoral roll, but in 1960 there was Lavina (Lavena in 1964, Lavinia in 1966))Jane, married, at 28 McParland Street; Geoffrey and Margaret Rose Ashford, married, were at 6A Logan Street.
Lavina (the most common spelling) had disappeared from electoral rolls in 1971.
The July 26, 1962 'Leader' published Ralph's obituary; the following information comes from it.
Born in Chard, Somerset Mr Ashford served in the Royal Sussex Regiment in the 191S British Expeditionary Force and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He arrived in New Zealand on Anzac Day, 1922, and in 1938 commenced to distribute a weekly newspaper in the district. In 1937 he started printing the "Leader" of which he was editor up to his untimely death. During World War II. Mr Ashford was second-in-command of the Home Guard with the rank of Captain. He was also a member of the committee responsible for sending parcels to our boys in the services overseas.
A Past-president and foundation, member of the local R.S.A., and past president of the Bowling Club, the late Mr Ashford was at the time of his death vice-president of the R.S.A., Rugby Club, the local Band. Ladies Hockey Club and the Association Football Club. He was a foundation member of Rotary, a member of the Pony "Club and of the Agricultural & Pastoral Association, and Patron of the Repertory Society and Upper Hutt District Cricket Club. Mr Ashford was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1949 and his services in this capacity were always freely given.
In Memoriam notices were made by Jean*, his second wife, with his son Julian; son Geoffrey and his wife Margaret, and Les, Jean and Valerie, presumably Jean's children.
* Electoral rolls list his wife and widow as Jane, prefixed by three different versions of Lavinia.
Dates of addresses below come from electoral rolls.
Details
Place of BirthChard, SomersetDate of Death24th July 1962Place of DeathParaparaumuPlace of Residence28 McParland Street 1950 (Ralph, Edith)24 McParland Street 1956, 60 (Ralph, Jane)4 McParland Street 1963-71 (Jane)SexMale
Date of Death24th July 1962Place of DeathParaparaumuPlace of Residence28 McParland Street 1950 (Ralph, Edith)24 McParland Street 1956, 60 (Ralph, Jane)4 McParland Street 1963-71 (Jane)SexMaleMarriage
HusbandRalph H AshtonWifeEdith AdaDateUp to March 1951
WifeEdith AdaDateUp to March 1951Marriage
HusbandRalph H AshtonWifeLavinia Jane
WifeLavinia JaneFamily
ChildEileenGeoffrey Phillip ColinJulian Merlin RutherfordDaphne
Geoffrey Phillip ColinJulian Merlin RutherfordDaphneConnections
OrganisationUpper Hutt Leader
Ashford, Ralph Hilton; 'Leader' founder (Up to March 1951). Upper Hutt City Library, accessed 04/04/2026, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/24244