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A Tragic Story of PTSD

online resource
posted on 2024-06-05, 19:32 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Cecil Watson Ash was admitted to the Graylingwell Hospital in the psychiatric division. He suffered from PTSD and was admitted as an informal patient. He was born in 1908 and died in 1958 from PTSD. His family, at the time, did not understand his condition. He was born in Dumfries and was in the Light Sussex Infantry. He got wounded in Dunkirk and was saved by little boats. He was a professional golfer before the war and became a painter afterward. He suffered badly from PTSD and had night terrors. He was the youngest son among nine siblings. His brother lost his life in World War I. Perhaps that is why he fought in World War II. He got married in 1934, in Tackenham, Sussex. His wife was a housewife and cook in National Trust Property. She looked after the whole family. They had no refrigerator, and the toilet was outside. It was very homely and family always came first.

History

Item list and details

1. Story of Cecil Watson Ash 2. Original medal box 3. Photo with medals 4. Photo of Cecil with Great Nan and Grandfather Peter 5. Christmas card 6. Paybook 7. Service pay book 8. Service record from the Ministry of Defence 9. Admission records to a mental asylum (1945) 10. Cecil's bag (1942)

Person the story/items relate to

Cecil Watson Ash

Person who shared the story/items

Tom Price

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

He was the contributor's great-grandfather.

Type of submission

Shared at National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire on 17 February 2024.

Record ID

117125 | NMA014