15/35 Corporal Walter Astle

Born in 1896, Walter Astle lived in Hovingham Terrace, Harehills Lane, Leeds. He enlisted on the 6th September 1914 at the age of 18 years

He served with the Leeds Pals throughout the War and though seriously wounded on the 1st July 1916, survived to marry his childhood sweet-heart Alice Wilson. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Charles Wilson Astle and daughter Catherine.

Pictured here with Sir Stafford Cripps in Birmingham 1948. (Mrs Astle can be seen in the background)

Following the war, Walter worked for Birkby's Plastics in Liversedge, West Yorkshire and became Production Manager until he retired.

He died in 1962 aged 66 years.

Alice survived him by 1 year................................

In full Freemason regalia

Charles, his son joined the RAF during the 2nd World War. After training with the USAF (United States Air Force) in America, returned to England as a Sgt. Pilot.
Sadly, as was the case with so many before him,  he was killed in action (flying) on the 24th May 1943, on the night of the 2424th May 1943,Sergeatn C.W Astle was flying with 27 OTU (Operational Training Unit). In all likelihood he was reaching the end of his pilot training and it was not unusual for OTU crews to be included on operations to give them some early operational experience. On this night bomber Command launched a major raid on Dortmund comprising of 800 aircraft but Sergeant Astle and his crew of four were tasked on a "Nickel" (or leaflet dropping raid) in the Pairs area they took off from RAF Litchfield in the Wellington MK 111, registration BK489 and were lost without trace. The Runnymede Memorial commemorates over 20,000 airmen who like Sergeant Astle and his crew have no known graves.

His name is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (Panel 141.)