Godfrey Gaston

[chrissyg]

Hi
Just recently been given a photograph of my granda, who was pictured in his army uniform. I have no information on him at all, all I have to go on is his name Godfrey Gaston, lived in Belfast. Any help on were to go from here?

[Lesley Robertson]

You could start by giving us a time frame to play with. Since you could be 17 or 70, we don't even know if you're talking about WW1 or WW2 (or something else).

PS Welcome to the British Genealogy Forum.

[chrissyg]

Thank you for replying
My father died 27 years ago and his father Godfrey died when he was a young boy so we know nothing about Godfrey, it would have been WW1. Im now 40 years old the photograph looks just like my brother and I am curious to find out anything I can about him

[geneius]

You will need to give us a bit more info like

year Godfrey died & place

giving your late father's year & place of birth will help

[chrissyg]

My father was Called Robert Gaston born 10/10/1934 died 16th March 1987 place of birth Belfast Northern Ireland, He was also in the army but this was not talked about so have no details might have been Royal Irish Reg, have no idea about Godfrey just was told he died when my father was a young boy I'm sure he also would have died in Belfast

[christanel]

There are 3 births of a Godfrey Gaston
Godfrey Gaston 1893 Belfast
Godfrey Gaston 1912 Belfast
Godfrey Gaston 1920 Belfast

So it looks as if your grandfather was the one born 1893 as the other two are too late to serve in WW1
Here is the one born 1893 with his parents and siblings in 1901 and with his mother and siblings in 1911 which fits with your father's father having died when he was young.

1901 Ireland census
Lawnbrook Avenue Woodvale Antrim
Robert Gaston 35 Mechanic born Belfast
Annie Gaston 33
Sarah K Gaston 7
Matthew Gaston 2
Robert J Gaston 11
Godfrey Gaston 4

Ireland census 1911
Mayo Street Woodvale Antrim
Annie Gaston 40 Head born Cork
Robert John Gaston 22
Sarah Kathleen Gaston 18
Godfrey Gaston 15
Matthew Gaston 12
David Gaston 9
Leslie Gaston 4

Religion - Presbyterian All children born Belfast

Just re-read this and the ages don't fit the 1893 birth for Godfrey. I haven't read the original image so whether it is a mistransciption?

Christina

[geneius]

And I thought you worked well in the 3 minutes from the info being posted....more haste less speed!!! or som'at like that!!!!

Jx

[christanel]

My father was Called Robert Gaston born 10/10/1934 died 16th March 1987 place of birth Belfast Northern Ireland, He was also in the army but this was not talked about so have no details might have been Royal Irish Reg, have no idea about Godfrey just was told he died when my father was a young boy I'm sure he also would have died in Belfast

Your father's WW11 service records can be purchased from the MoD. This 'sticky' explains where and how to apply.

I have been searching for ages for a G Gaston in the WW1 records and there are some but are any first name other than Godfrey. I tried surname only, Godfrey only, Ga*st*n etc but I can't see anything at all either on ancestry or Findmypast. FMP doesn'teven have the births of the three I gave previously.

Christina

Hi genius
I am still inclined to think this is the correct bloke especially as he called his son, chrissyg's father Robert. Just don't know who got the birth date wrong!

[geneius]

Hi genius
I am still inclined to think this is the correct bloke especially as he called his son, chrissyg's father Robert. Just don't know who got the birth date wrong!

Well done

See pm to you! I was aghast at the speed you replied....I'll have to learn how to 'wing it' and probably get it right

[christanel]

Well done

See pm to you! I was aghast at the speed you replied....I'll have to learn how to 'wing it' and probably get it right

I wasn't that quick! I used chrissyg's post #3 and luckily for me the three births were the only ones that came up in any time frame in UK and Ireland.

Not being able to find a service record has wiped the smile off my face though.

Christina