Henry Ashington

A former pupil of Harrow School, Henry Ashington was an exceptionally versatile athlete and in 1910, when Head of House, won the school’s cross country, quarter mile, half mile and mile races. After going up to King’s College, Cambridge, he had a solid record at the Oxbridge Sports. After finishing last in the mile in 1911, he won the 880y (1913), 120y hurdles (1912-13), high jump (1914), and the long jump (1912-14), exceeding 23-0 (7.01) in each of the years, and his triple victory in 1913 was then a record for the Sports, and his seven wins in three years was a further record.

Captain Ashington served with the 7th East Yorkshire Regiment during World War I and was wounded whilst serving in Belgium during the advance of July 1916. After recovering from his injuries in the London Hospital, he was promoted to the rank of captain and returned to the front line. On the last day of January 1917 he was struck by a sniper’s bullet and never regained consciousness. He was just 26 at the time of his death.

Personal Bests: 880y – 2:00.2 (1913); 120yH – 16.0e (1913); HJ – 1.72 (5-8) (1914); LJ – 7.16 (23-6½) (1914).