ASTLE, WILLIAM


Source

CWGC

SDGW

Uttoxeter Advertiser

Other

Parents

George Astle

Yes



3

George and Sarah Astle




4b

Where born

Doveridge


Yes




Birmingham




4b

When born

Abt 1895




4b

Address

9, Bank Terrace, Silver Street, Uttoxeter



1b


Bank Terrace, Uttoxeter



1a


Spouse






Children






Employment Before Joining up






Where Enlisted

Buxton


Yes



Regiment

Royal Field Artillery

Yes

Yes

1a 1b

3 5

Unit

"D" Bty. 83rd Bde.

Yes




"D" Bty. 88th Bde.




3

Rank

Gunner

Yes

Yes

1a 1b

3 5

Service Number

44666

Yes

Yes

1b

3 5

When went to Western Front

24th Aug 1915




5

Date of Death

21 March 1918

Yes

Yes

1a 1b

3

Age at time of death

20

Yes




Where Killed or died

Cambrai - Somme



1c



How he died

Died of wounds



1a

3

Killed in Action


Yes

1b


Location of Grave or Memorial

No known grave. Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial to the Missing, Panel 8.

Yes



6

Awards

1915 Star – Roll RFA/3A1 B3673




5

British War Medal – Roll RFA/173B/4546




5

Victory Medal – Roll RFA/173B/4546




5

According to the CWGC and Uttoxeter Advertiser, William was the son of George Astle of 9 Bank Terrace, Silver Street, Uttoxeter.

The 1901 Census only contains one William Astle who was about the correct age and had a father George. The Census return showed him as living at home in Aston, Warwickshire at that time with his parents, George and Sarah.

William joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner, Regimental number 44666, and went to the Western Front on 24th August 1915. He died of wounds received in action on 21st March 1918, which corresponds to the opening day of the German Spring Offensives of 1918.

At the time of his death, his father was at home awaiting his discharge from the army and a sister was serving as a nurse in France.

William has no known grave and he is commemorated on Panel 8 of the Pozieres Memorial.


This memorial notice was posted in the Uttoxeter Advertiser in early March 1919 to mark the first anniversary of his death. Unfortunately, these words will have been echoed in many households up and down the country.

In Loving Memory of my dear Son, Gunner W. Astle, 44666, R.F.A., killed in action March 21, 1918.

He left his home in perfect health,

He looked so young and brave;

We little thought how soon he’d be

Laid in a soldier’s grave.

No one knows the parting,

Of what the parting cost,

But God in His great mercy

Has gained what we have lost.

-Sadly missed by Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters, 9, Bank Terrace, Silver Street, Uttoxeter.

William was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.