Completed Joseph Frank Aston
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 11:15 am
Gunner 94671 Joseph Frank Aston
Abt 1885 - 2/7/1917 (32)
https://www.tiptonremembers.net/index.p ... seph-frank
Dob abt 1885 Dudley
Baptism -
Parents Richard Aston & Rachel Sherwood
Parents Marriage
24/1/1871 All Saints West Bromwich
Staffordshire West Bromwich
Church name All Saints
Register type Parish Register
Register entry number 72
Marriage date 24 Jan 1871
Groom forename Richard
Groom surname ASTON
Groom age 23
Groom occupation Stock Taker
Bride forename Rachel
Bride surname SHERWOOD
Bride age 23
Groom father forename Isaac
Groom father surname ASTON
Groom father occupation Carpenter
Bride father forename Joseph
Bride father surname SHERWOOD
Bride father occupation Miner
Witness 1 Henry WILKINS
Witness 2 Emma YATES
Richard Aston
Registration Year1871
Registration Quarter Jan-Feb-Mar
Registration District West Bromwich
Inferred County Staffordshire
Volume 6b age 767
1891 38 Waterloo Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Richard Aston (43, Groom, born Tipton), his wife Rachel (43, born Tipton), and their 4 children: Mary L. (13, Mother's help. born Tipton), Annie M. (11, Scholar, born Tipton), Joseph F. (5, Scholar, born Tipton), and Stephen H. (3, born Tipton).
1901 Waterloo Street East, Tipton, Staffs.
Richard Aston (53, Groom, born Tipton), his wife Rachel (53, born Tipton), and their 4 children: Louisa (23, born Tipton), Annie (21, born Tipton), Joseph (15, Invoice Clerk, born Tipton), and Stephen (13, born Tipton).
Marriage
8/9/1907 St Johns Princes End Tipton
Staffordshire Princes End
Church name St John the Evangelist
Register type Parish Register
Register entry number 325
Marriage date 08 Sep 1907
Groom forename Joseph Frank
Groom surname ASTON
Groom age 22
Groom condition bachelor
Groom occupation Cabman
Groom abode Brick St.
Bride forename Laura
Bride surname MASON
Bride age 19
Bride condition spinster
Bride abode 26 Regent St. Princes End
Groom father forename Richard
Groom father surname ASTON
Groom father occupation Cabman (deceased)
Bride father forename Thomas Edward
Bride father surname MASON
Bride father occupation Blacksmith
Witness 1 William Henry TINSLEY
Witness 2 Phoebe Ann MASON
Joseph Frank Aston
Registration Year1907
Registration QuarterJul-Aug-Sep
Registration District Dudley
Inferred County Staffordshire
Volume 6c Page 144
Joseph Frank Aston and Laura Mason
The birth of their daughter, Rachel Winifred, was registered March quarter 1909 in Dudley. She was born on February 16th 1909.
1911 71 Bloomfield Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph F. Aston (25, Coachman, born Tipton), his wife Laura (23, born Coseley), and their daughter Rachel Winifred (2, born Tipton). Also Thomas Edward Mason (father-in-law, 74, retired Blacksmith, born West Bromwich), and Martha Mason (mother-in-law, 68, born Bilston).
A second daughter, Florence M. Aston, was born in September quarter 1913 with the birth registered in Dudley. Sadly, Florence died at just 1 year of age. Her death was registered in June quarter 1915 in Dudley
WW1 Records
Gunner 94671 Joseph Frank Aston
Killed in Action on Monday, 2nd July 1917, age 32.
Buried in Grave I. C. 2. at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Royal Garrison Artillery, 188th Siege Battery.
Son of the late Richard and Rachael Aston, of Tipton; husband of Laura Aston, of 39, Sedgley Rd. West, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.
Joseph's address was given as School House, Birch Street, Tipton, but amended to 39 Sedgley Road West, Tipton. This change of address would have been after his resignation as caretaker of Park Lane School, leaving to work at Buller's Foundry. He was 30 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 35-inch chest, and employed as a Caretaker and Labourer.
Dod 2/7/197 (32) KIA Belgium
Burial Buried in Grave I. C. 2. at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/92623/
Commemorated on the Tipton Library & St. Matthew's memorials.
Joseph is incorrectly commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial as JJ Aston. This was a sign-writer error as the 'Staffordshire Roll of Honour' says JF Aston, Gunner RGA.
Any other info
Unfortunately, the War Diary pages for July 1917 are missing but it is unlikely that any significant detail of Joseph’s death would have been given. Family legend says that Joseph was the only man from his gun crew killed and this was because the Sergeant had sent Joseph to the field kitchen to get the tea, and it was the field kitchen that was hit and Joseph killed by shrapnel. Family legend often has a kernel of truth, and looking at CWGC it is true that Joseph was the only man from 188th Battery killed that day.
Tipton Herald November 6th 1915
Tipton Education: JF Aston resigned as caretaker of Park Lane School.
Tipton Herald July 14th 1917
Thanks
Mrs J.F. Aston (39 Sedgley Road West, Tipton) wishes to thank many friends and relatives for sympathy shown in her hour of sorrow.
Tipton Herald July 21st 1917
ANOTHER TIPTON SOLDIER TO FALL.
The relatives and friends of Gunner Joseph Frank Aston, R.G.A., of 39 Sedgley Road West (Five Ways), Tipton, have just heard with great regret that he was killed in action by a shell on Monday July 2nd.
The deceased gunner, who had not served in the army before, leaves a widow and daughter aged eight. He joined the army on June 5th of last year under the Derby scheme, and was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery, receiving part of his training on the east coast. He had two short leaves during training, but the widow had not seen her husband for nearly ten months.
On Friday 6th inst., a letter was received from the deceased. A very nice letter has been received from the deceased's Sergeant:- "The men in the battery are going to put a cross over his grave. I am so sorry for you, but for his sake you must try to be brave. You will be very proud when you remember that he gave the very best he had - his life - to save his country and you from the horrors that we out here know so well. Try and think of him as still alive. God comfort you in your sorrow."
The late Gunner Aston was nephew of Mr Stephen Aston, and was for some years in his employ. He was for a short time caretaker of Park Lane Council Schools, but left to go to the works of Bullers Ltd. in the autumn of 1915. He was well-liked and popular with a number of people in Tipton. His only brother is in the army. His father, the late Mr Richard Aston, died suddenly some twelve or thirteen years ago when taking a brake-load of people for a pleasure trip. Gunner Aston's mother resides at Dudley Port.
Tipton Herald August 4th 1917
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
On Sunday evening, a memorial service was held at the Refuge Church, Waterloo St, Tipton, for the late Private Joseph Aston, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, whose home was at Five Ways, Tipton. The service was conducted by Mr B Tibbetts of Dudley Port who delivered a very appropriate address. Councillor Joseph Baker also made a few sympathetic remarks and gave the relatives and friends of the deceased a message of hope and encouragement. Suitable hymns were sung and the service was a very impressive one.
Tipton Herald July 6th 1918
In Memoriam
ASTON. In ever loving memory of our dear brother-in-law Joe, killed in action July 2nd 1917. Never forgotten by Phoebe and Job, loved in life, honoured in death.
ASTON. In unfading memory of my dearly loved husband, Gunner JF Aston (Sedgley Rd West, Tipton), killed July 2nd 1917. Ever in the thoughts of his sorrowing wife and child, Winnie. RIP
Abt 1885 - 2/7/1917 (32)
https://www.tiptonremembers.net/index.p ... seph-frank
Dob abt 1885 Dudley
Baptism -
Parents Richard Aston & Rachel Sherwood
Parents Marriage
24/1/1871 All Saints West Bromwich
Staffordshire West Bromwich
Church name All Saints
Register type Parish Register
Register entry number 72
Marriage date 24 Jan 1871
Groom forename Richard
Groom surname ASTON
Groom age 23
Groom occupation Stock Taker
Bride forename Rachel
Bride surname SHERWOOD
Bride age 23
Groom father forename Isaac
Groom father surname ASTON
Groom father occupation Carpenter
Bride father forename Joseph
Bride father surname SHERWOOD
Bride father occupation Miner
Witness 1 Henry WILKINS
Witness 2 Emma YATES
Richard Aston
Registration Year1871
Registration Quarter Jan-Feb-Mar
Registration District West Bromwich
Inferred County Staffordshire
Volume 6b age 767
1891 38 Waterloo Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Richard Aston (43, Groom, born Tipton), his wife Rachel (43, born Tipton), and their 4 children: Mary L. (13, Mother's help. born Tipton), Annie M. (11, Scholar, born Tipton), Joseph F. (5, Scholar, born Tipton), and Stephen H. (3, born Tipton).
1901 Waterloo Street East, Tipton, Staffs.
Richard Aston (53, Groom, born Tipton), his wife Rachel (53, born Tipton), and their 4 children: Louisa (23, born Tipton), Annie (21, born Tipton), Joseph (15, Invoice Clerk, born Tipton), and Stephen (13, born Tipton).
Marriage
8/9/1907 St Johns Princes End Tipton
Staffordshire Princes End
Church name St John the Evangelist
Register type Parish Register
Register entry number 325
Marriage date 08 Sep 1907
Groom forename Joseph Frank
Groom surname ASTON
Groom age 22
Groom condition bachelor
Groom occupation Cabman
Groom abode Brick St.
Bride forename Laura
Bride surname MASON
Bride age 19
Bride condition spinster
Bride abode 26 Regent St. Princes End
Groom father forename Richard
Groom father surname ASTON
Groom father occupation Cabman (deceased)
Bride father forename Thomas Edward
Bride father surname MASON
Bride father occupation Blacksmith
Witness 1 William Henry TINSLEY
Witness 2 Phoebe Ann MASON
Joseph Frank Aston
Registration Year1907
Registration QuarterJul-Aug-Sep
Registration District Dudley
Inferred County Staffordshire
Volume 6c Page 144
Joseph Frank Aston and Laura Mason
The birth of their daughter, Rachel Winifred, was registered March quarter 1909 in Dudley. She was born on February 16th 1909.
1911 71 Bloomfield Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph F. Aston (25, Coachman, born Tipton), his wife Laura (23, born Coseley), and their daughter Rachel Winifred (2, born Tipton). Also Thomas Edward Mason (father-in-law, 74, retired Blacksmith, born West Bromwich), and Martha Mason (mother-in-law, 68, born Bilston).
A second daughter, Florence M. Aston, was born in September quarter 1913 with the birth registered in Dudley. Sadly, Florence died at just 1 year of age. Her death was registered in June quarter 1915 in Dudley
WW1 Records
Gunner 94671 Joseph Frank Aston
Killed in Action on Monday, 2nd July 1917, age 32.
Buried in Grave I. C. 2. at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Royal Garrison Artillery, 188th Siege Battery.
Son of the late Richard and Rachael Aston, of Tipton; husband of Laura Aston, of 39, Sedgley Rd. West, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.
Joseph's address was given as School House, Birch Street, Tipton, but amended to 39 Sedgley Road West, Tipton. This change of address would have been after his resignation as caretaker of Park Lane School, leaving to work at Buller's Foundry. He was 30 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 35-inch chest, and employed as a Caretaker and Labourer.
Dod 2/7/197 (32) KIA Belgium
Burial Buried in Grave I. C. 2. at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/92623/
Commemorated on the Tipton Library & St. Matthew's memorials.
Joseph is incorrectly commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial as JJ Aston. This was a sign-writer error as the 'Staffordshire Roll of Honour' says JF Aston, Gunner RGA.
Any other info
Unfortunately, the War Diary pages for July 1917 are missing but it is unlikely that any significant detail of Joseph’s death would have been given. Family legend says that Joseph was the only man from his gun crew killed and this was because the Sergeant had sent Joseph to the field kitchen to get the tea, and it was the field kitchen that was hit and Joseph killed by shrapnel. Family legend often has a kernel of truth, and looking at CWGC it is true that Joseph was the only man from 188th Battery killed that day.
Tipton Herald November 6th 1915
Tipton Education: JF Aston resigned as caretaker of Park Lane School.
Tipton Herald July 14th 1917
Thanks
Mrs J.F. Aston (39 Sedgley Road West, Tipton) wishes to thank many friends and relatives for sympathy shown in her hour of sorrow.
Tipton Herald July 21st 1917
ANOTHER TIPTON SOLDIER TO FALL.
The relatives and friends of Gunner Joseph Frank Aston, R.G.A., of 39 Sedgley Road West (Five Ways), Tipton, have just heard with great regret that he was killed in action by a shell on Monday July 2nd.
The deceased gunner, who had not served in the army before, leaves a widow and daughter aged eight. He joined the army on June 5th of last year under the Derby scheme, and was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery, receiving part of his training on the east coast. He had two short leaves during training, but the widow had not seen her husband for nearly ten months.
On Friday 6th inst., a letter was received from the deceased. A very nice letter has been received from the deceased's Sergeant:- "The men in the battery are going to put a cross over his grave. I am so sorry for you, but for his sake you must try to be brave. You will be very proud when you remember that he gave the very best he had - his life - to save his country and you from the horrors that we out here know so well. Try and think of him as still alive. God comfort you in your sorrow."
The late Gunner Aston was nephew of Mr Stephen Aston, and was for some years in his employ. He was for a short time caretaker of Park Lane Council Schools, but left to go to the works of Bullers Ltd. in the autumn of 1915. He was well-liked and popular with a number of people in Tipton. His only brother is in the army. His father, the late Mr Richard Aston, died suddenly some twelve or thirteen years ago when taking a brake-load of people for a pleasure trip. Gunner Aston's mother resides at Dudley Port.
Tipton Herald August 4th 1917
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
On Sunday evening, a memorial service was held at the Refuge Church, Waterloo St, Tipton, for the late Private Joseph Aston, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, whose home was at Five Ways, Tipton. The service was conducted by Mr B Tibbetts of Dudley Port who delivered a very appropriate address. Councillor Joseph Baker also made a few sympathetic remarks and gave the relatives and friends of the deceased a message of hope and encouragement. Suitable hymns were sung and the service was a very impressive one.
Tipton Herald July 6th 1918
In Memoriam
ASTON. In ever loving memory of our dear brother-in-law Joe, killed in action July 2nd 1917. Never forgotten by Phoebe and Job, loved in life, honoured in death.
ASTON. In unfading memory of my dearly loved husband, Gunner JF Aston (Sedgley Rd West, Tipton), killed July 2nd 1917. Ever in the thoughts of his sorrowing wife and child, Winnie. RIP