BX March 23, 1915

Brantford Soldier is Missing; Now Feared He Has Been Killed - Pte. Albert Aston Went Into Action With His Regiment on Dec. 22 and Has Not Since Been Seen or Heard From - Wife and Brother Here

Pte. Albert Aston, reservist of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who so far as is known, was attached to No. 7 company, Army Ordinance Corps, has been missing from the company roster since Dec. 22 when he was in action and his relatives here fear that he has been killed, as the army post office, his commanding officer and others have been unable to trace his whereabouts. The only hope appears to be in the fact that he is missing, there being a chance that he was captured by the Germans.

Pte. Albert Aston was one of the 21 reservists who left this city on August 2, the citizens giving them a big send-off. He had seen service in practically every point of the compass where there was a British regiment stationed, including Africa, Mauritius, Malta, Cyprus and Gibraltar. He was through the fighting in Zululand and the Matabele rebellion and was a veteran of the Boer War.

Time Almost Expired

Pte. Aston had but one more month to serve as a reservist when the call came, but he answered it promptly and willingly. He had then been married for almost three months. Mrs. Aston resided at 163 Rawdon Street, corner of Dalhousie, with one little girl, Mary, a daughter born of Mrs. Aston’s previous marriage. Mrs. Aston afterwards removed to Grand St., the second house off Charing Cross Street in the Terrace Hill district. One sister in the old land, and a brother, Fred, here, residing at 117 Spring Street, and employed in the Dominion Dressmaking plant over Herod’s garage also survive.

Can Get No Trace

Fred Aston has for some time been endeavoring to trace the whereabouts of his brother. He formerly received a letter or card from him every second week. This was the case until just before Christmas. The last letter received told of Pte. Aston having been in a hospital, but having recovered sufficiently to go back to the fighting line. Fred Aston answered this letter, but received no reply, and has since received no direct word from him. Some weeks ago he wrote to the commanding officer of his brother’s regiment and yesterday, as did Mrs. Aston, received word that he had gone into action on Dec. 22 and since that time had been missing. The last letter sent by Fred Aston was returned, the army post office having been unable to trace the missing brother.

Aston was a very efficient soldier, and because of his wide service, a very valuable man. He was a member of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, but had been transferred to the Ordnance Corps, No. 7 Company, and this was the last address known.

BX March 25, 1915

No Official Word

Mrs. Albert S. Aston has not received any word from the Canadian militia department or the British war office regarding her husband, the Brantford reservist who is reported to have been missing since Dec. 21. The only word she received was from a cousin in England and Mrs. Aston is hopeful that nothing worse has happened than that he is a prisoner of war in the hands of the Germans.

BX April 17, 1915

Was Taken Prisoner

Official word was received here yesterday by Mrs. A. Aston that her husband, Private Albert Aston, had been taken prisoner in the fighting around La Bassee, and was now at Wittenberg Germany. He was a member of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Major A. Daniel, of the Infantry Record office, Preston forwarded the word. As it had been previously reported that he had been killed, the news came as a relief to Mrs. Aston. Major Daniels reported that any further available information would be forwarded as soon as received.

BX July 15, 1915

Husband Now War Prisoner – Mrs. Albert Aston Received Word That Husband Was Not Dead as Announced

After having almost given up her husband for dead, great relief came to Mrs. Albert Aston 163 Rawdon Street, this morning, when she received a postcard from him stating that he has been a prisoner of war since December 23 at Wittenberg, Germany. Mrs. Aston had received information several times, though never confirmed, that her husband had been killed, and not having heard from him for the past six months she was about ready to believe it.

Private Albert Aston was a British reservist and left Brantford on August 23, 1914. He belonged to the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, which regiment has been through some dangerous fighting. He had been in the hospital three times, but Mrs. Aston had just about given up all hope, not having heard from him for so long a time. Her one wish now is that he may be exchanged with a group of other British prisoners and sent back to England. Pte. Aston was formerly employed at Stedman Bros. factory, George St. The postcard sent reads as follows: 

My Dear Wife,

I’ve been a prisoner of war since Dec. 23. My wounds are better. I do hope you and baby are alright. Write to me regularly, Margaret, and will you send me a few chocolates and tobacco?

Your loving husband,
Albert

My address is:
Kriegsgefangenen sendung
Loyal North Lanc. Regt.
Gefangenenlager, Wittenburg
Post Kelinwittenburg
A ‘Elbe, Baracke,
Largorette