Fusilier Basil Garston

[j1000]

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

[Baconwallah]

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

[ap1]

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>

[ap1]

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.

[j1000]

Many thanks to everyone who has posted. We too were wondering how Basil lost his life after Doenitz had surrendered

[ap1]

Apply for his record, we can then help specifically on his movements.

[j1000]

Thanks,I'll do that. Will the records be a comprehensive account including training,postings etc?

[Baconwallah]

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.

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

[Hywyn]

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.

[ap1]

With regards to 4200204 T Garston. 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.

Many thanks Hywyn