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We solve mystery of lost war grave

Victoria Morley
13/ 2/2008

THE lost grave of a Stockport serviceman will finally be commemorated on the 90th anniversary of his death thanks to a breakthrough investigation by the Stockport Express.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was, in the past, unable to officially honour RAF air mechanic Joel Alfred Astington due to the lack of details surrounding his burial.

But after they contacted us with their plight, we scoured historical archives and burial records and traced his final resting place to Stockport Borough Cemetery.

Assistant registrar at the Buxton Road cemetery Patrick Neal had trouble pinpointing the exact location of Joel’s grave because of its age.

But a chance call to former Edgeley funeral director Frank Turner revealed where the missing grave was situated.

Patrick said: "Frank conducted the funeral of Joel’s younger brother, Eric Astington, in 1980, so luckily he knew exactly where to find the grave.

"Most older graves, particularly from the war, are located in the church plot and all have registration numbers. But his grave had overspilt into the A section so it was like finding a needle in a haystack until we spoke to Frank."

Air mechanic second class Joel Alfred Astington, of Regent Road, Stockport, was struck by a civilian car while he served with No 31 Training Squadron, in Cambridge. He died from his injuries on October 23, 1919.

Tragically, Joel, like his brother, David William, was only 19-years-old when he died, so it came as a cruel blow to his heartbroken parents.

On October 29, his funeral service was held at St George’s Church, where, as a child, he had been a choir boy.

His coffin, draped with a Union Jack, was then carried to the family grave at the cemetery and was followed by his father and mother, Joel and Annie and his sweetheart Edith Smith.

His friends from the Fowlmere Aerodrome made the trip up to pay their respects and masses of floral tributes were sent by those who couldn’t attend.

Although a fatal accident caused his death, the commission has confirmed they will now go ahead with commemoration, which will fall on the 90th anniversary of his death next year, under the equality of treatment principle.

Peter Francis, spokesman for the CWGC, said: "It doesn’t matter if our servicemen won the Victoria Cross or died in the way Joel did. He was still a valued serving air mechanic and it’s a special part of the job when after ninety years we can honour him and show that we still care."

A representative from the CWGC will visit the cemetery this week and if his headstone is deemed unsuitable, a white war memorial with a regimental crest will be requested from their manufacturers in France before the small memorial service can be held.

If any members of the Astington family are still surviving, please contact Victoria Morley on 475 4825 or email to victoria.morley@menwn.co.uk.