Walter Ashfield

Colonel Walter and Nettie Ashfield; brother, Lt.

Walter Ashfield* President 1946 to 1947Honorary Life Member 1953
...
Walter Ashfield

BORN in England, Walter Ashfield apprenticed as a printer there before coming to Canada to join a newspaper staff at Brandon, Manitoba.He went overseas in World War One, was wounded, and returned to Canada and printing in 1919.In 1921 he became owner, editor and publisher of The Grenfell (Sask.) Sun.He continued his army career and assisted in forming an infantry company which was converted in 1937 to artillery.At the outbreak of World War Two he mobilized the company but was declared too old for overseas service.

He served as brigade major in the reserves and second-in-command of the district depot at Regina.Colonel Ashfield left active service in 1946 and became commanding officer of the 22nd Field Regiment, later turning its command over to his son.Of the seven men on his staff, six were accepted for military service in World War Two.

He served on town council, school board, Legion and Board of Trade, was a past master of the Masonic Lodge and active in the United Church.

He was a past president of the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspapers Association and was its secretary manager for seven years.

He died just after a Saskatchewan convention when his son Walter Jr. accepted a first place trophy awarded his father's paper; The Sun had won the award repeatedly.Knowing the difficulties facing Cliff Ashfield in getting out The Sun the week of his father's death, association friends compiled a newspaper tribute published by Prairie Publishers Ltd., Regina, of which Walter was a director.
...
As president, Walter Ashfield, managing director McCartney and Ted Seaborn, in charge of promotion, travelled from coast to coast.