Thomas Edward Aston's Story

Family

Thomas Edward Aston was born in Smethwick, Birmingham in 1893 to Thomas and Emma Aston (nee Griffiths) and was living in New Street Smethwick in 1901, he was one of eleven children. His father was a woodworker. Samuel is found in Newport in 1911 living at 13 Ifton Street with his parents and was working as a labourer in the Nail Works with his brother Thomas Edward.

In June 1916 he married Martha Ann Kempster of 48 Magor Street in St Johns Church Maindee whilst living at 450 Corporation Road; they had one child - Thomas Edward who was born in June 1917

Military

Thomas enlisted in the South Wales Borders with the 10th Battalion and as his regimental number is only 2 digits different to his Brother Samuel we think he enlisted at the same time but no records exist of his service. The war diary for the 2nd September 1918 when Thomas was killed reads;

Spent the morning getting into position for the advance on Mesml under cover of the 113th Brigade A & C in front B & D at the rear 5am formed up for the attack from Sailly to Mesml enemy allowed reconnoitring officers to go forward to point of assembly when battalion followed he opened up with heavy Machine Gun Fire on the 2nd R.W.F.s on the right and the 10th S.W.B.s on the left 1 offcer killed 5 others wounded and about 50 other casualties in the ranks, have formed east of Sailly for the night Boche withdrawal reported by 10th S.W.B.s at 7am

It seems that Thomas's body was not found as he is remembered on the on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial. His brother Samuel was also killed in the following month at Motho Wood

Thomas was entitled to the British War & Victory Medals. His widow, Martha, received back pay of £5 16s 8d which included a £3 war gratuity from the War Office and a pension of 13s 9d per week.

Steel Remembered would like to thank Peter Smith for researching Thomas Edward Aston's story.