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We are desperate for more information on Basil. We know when he died,where he is buried etc but that's just about all we know about him. He served with the 6th Royal Welch and was killed in 1945. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can learn more?Thanks
You can request a copy of the service record. For more information (and the necessary forms) see http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html
There is a fee of 35 pound involved, I think.
John
GARSTON, BASIL
<dl style="margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Rank:</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">Fusilier</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Service No:</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">14751253</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Date of Death:</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">10/05/1945</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Age:</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">21</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Regiment/Service:</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">Royal Welch Fusiliers</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;"> </dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">6th Bn.</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Grave Reference</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">9. B. 12.</dd><dt style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; float: left; width: 332px; font-weight: bold;">Cemetery</dt><dd style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
The interesting story will be how he sadly lost his life after the war had finished. Its possible he died of his wounds, but we can't be sure of that. As B/Wallah comments, you need his service record. One small piece of info though.
According to "History of the 6th Bn RWF 1939-1945, the written account of the 6th RWF in WW2, the last fatal casualty to the 6th Bn occurred on the 30th April 1945. The battalion captured Rotenburg airfield on the 26th, thereby liberating thousands of captured Russians. On the 30th the battalion drove to a village south of Hamburg, as a precursor to taking over the armoured units on the banks of the River Elbe. On the foot move to the river, the marching column was attacked by a single enemy aircraft causing one fatality a Sgt Rochelle MM. Additionally others (at least 3 men) were wounded, perhaps Basil was one of those wounded.</dd></dl>
One more thing. There was also a 4200204 Cpl T Garston serving with this battalion at the same time. He is listed amongst the Officers and NCO's who landed at Normandy as part of the unit. He was a member of Support Company.
Many thanks to everyone who has posted. We too were wondering how Basil lost his life after Doenitz had surrendered
Apply for his record, we can then help specifically on his movements.
Thanks,I'll do that. Will the records be a comprehensive account including training,postings etc?
Yes, probably. But you should bear in mind that for some reason or other parts of the service record may not be copied, the 'crime sheet' for instance. The comment of the Army, when a certain lack of information is pointed out to them, usually is that "in that case you should have asked for that particular document." So whether the copy provided is actually the entire record, and not a subset, is somewhat unpredictable.Quote:
Originally Posted by j1000
As the Army tends to use jargon often unintelligible to outsiders, parts of the record may be a mystery to you. We are here to help, in that case.
John
His number is post 1942.
"In 1942 the 'General Service Corps' were formed for the initial training of all new recruits. From then on the new recruits were allocated a number in a series beginning 14,000,000. In 1950 this system changed again to a series beginning 2,200,000."
Only one Basil Garston in Births and he is registered Holywell 1925
RWF had an Emlyn Garston as 4196050 (who served WW2 to 30 1 1946) and a 4188552 Robert George Garston (who served 5th Bn TA pre War 28 to 37)
At the risk of making things fit they are possible family members inasmuch as the only Emlyn Garston birth registered is 1920 at Holywell district, death registered Wrexham area 2002. With Robert George Garston, there is only one birth to this full name and that is 1908 at Hawarden District (living with his mother Margaret and brother John G Garston at Treuddyn in 1911 census). A Robert George Garston b 1908 is registered as died in Holywell district 1969.
With regards to 4200204 T Garston. He is Thomas Estyn Garson according to John Tylers' work. However nothing can be found to this spelling in the BMD registers so this may be a typo. Actually nothing can be seen with the Estyn name and whilst there are possibles for Thomas E, also with Holywell area connections, he seems to be Evan. Whichever, 4200204 enlisted 1940 and was transferred to REME 19 12 1944.
That would fit, the name appears on the roll of those who landed back in the June of 44.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gwilwil
Many thanks Hywyn
Many thanks for your post Gwil.We know for sure that Basil's mum was Gwendoline Garston and we also know that he had a sister. We also know that in 1946,Gwendoline married Thomas Richard Gallagher and that's the reason for our interest. Gwendoline had two more children and one of those children is my father,Anthony Gallagher. We have no idea who Basil's father was,none whatsoever. What Gwendoline (my nanna) did leave us was a letter from the King confirming Basil's death,a picture of Basil's grave in Becklingen taken just six days after he died and his death certificate which confirmed that he died from wounds. All of which is very poignant. We will hear his name read out in our local church on Sunday and will continue to try to find out more.
Hello all,
On checking the book of W W 2 Casualties of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, I came across the following: Fusilier Basil Garston 14752204 served with the 6th Battalion Died on the 10th of May 1945. Buried in Saint Venant age 21 years 9 B 21. Addendum Mea Culpa I turned over two pages regarding both the number and cemetery the number given is 14751253, and come up with mistakes.
R B Donovan
Hi . Unfortunately that wasn't Basil's service number and also not where he was buried.