Adopted 3 February 1988 on 92 B/5.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Named after Dr. John Ash (1821 - 1886), pioneer settler and original owner of the area now known as Matheson Lake Provincial Park. See Ash River for additional biographical information.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

"In 1863, Dr. Ash pre-empted a piece of land near Sooke Harbour and purchased in addition 1000 acres and upwards of adjacent lands, his object being to make use of the Lake [ie Matheson Lake] included within the limits of such purchased land in carrying out a plan which he had formed for the construction of a Dock in Pedder Inlet. This scheme however, he has relinquished after having expended a considerable sum of money in building a dam across the lower end of the Lake valley. He now asks to purchase the large tract of land recorded in his name and that the money already paid by him should be accepted as payment in full for the portion of that tract of land which is indicated in the sketch appended to his [pre-emption] application - about 600 acres in extent - so that he may have but a small additional payment to make." (10 January 1870 memo written by J. W. Trutch).
Strictly speaking, Trutch adds, Dr. Ash was bound to fulfill his agreement to purchase, but under the circumstances he recommended "?.that as an act of special grace" the rule might be relaxed. This was done. And the boundaries of Dr. Ash's property were adjusted accordingly; on 22 March 1871 Ash applied for a Crown Grant on Sections 76, 43 and 47 only.

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions

Dr. Ash's personal characteristics are given in Dr. Helmcken's "Reminiscences":
"Ash was here also [ie. at Guy's Hospital, London], a hard-working clever man, noted for his short sight, tremendous breadth of shoulder and chest and short temper. A very sensible companion, well read, when in good humour but if in a bad one - Keep Clear." (p.63);
"Ash was a clever, well read man with a good memory; of remarkable physique and structure - very broad shoulders and of bulldog style, very pleasant to his friends but of hasty and quarrelsome temper - hated to be contradicted - his opinion being final. Compelled to wear spectacles on account of short sightedness, he was useless without them. I cannot say he was quarelsome, but he could easily be made so. On one occasion Ash and De Cosmos had some dispute in a debate - they were on opposite sides and both of them looked ugly, but broke through no order. The House being over, Ash met De Cosmos outside, and near the bridge an altercation took place and blows were struck. De Cosmos always carried a stick and Ash asserted this had been used on his head. I came up at time and with the aid of others induced them to go their way, for Ash had his "monkey up" and was able to throw De Cosmos over the bridge. I induced Ash to walk with me up Bird Cage walk - and there he found his face bleeding and his glasses broken. Oh I said, here is a nice clean pool of water, let me wash the blood off. At this he flared up; did I want to make him a spectacle in the public street ? and I thought he was about to pitch into poor weakly me. He did not; would not come into my house and walked growling to his own home on Fort Street. In the evening, Governor Douglas met me, and said Mr. Speaker are you aware that your authority ceases when out of the House. You have no authority to interfere when gentlemen out of your own jurisdiction wished to settle their little difficulties. You had better have let them have it out - as it is neither is satisfied. I laughed at the Governor's grim humour - he had no love for De Cosmos and vice versa - and probably would have been inwardly pleased had Ash pitched De Cosmos into the Bay! There were a large number of the same mind for De Cosmos had hosts of opponents as well as friends. Of course, De Cosmos and every one else did not take many liberties with Ash after this. Ash was honest and honorable almost to a fault - but let no one thwart him, either in opinion or in action - Hospitable and fond of society - pleasant at table and generally liked - but let anyone who played a partner with him at whist beware of making mistakes or careless play in the opinion of Dr. Ash." (pp.222-224).

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions